Who is Karl Hein? The Arsenal goalkeeper tearing it up in La Liga

The No.1 spot at Arsenal no doubt falls to David Raya, but loanee Karl Hein is making his case over in Spain.

After seeing little regular game time under Mikel Arteta last season, he was loaned out to Real Valladolid this term, where he has since thrived.

The Estonian is lighting up La Liga with his exceptional displays, but just who is the goalkeeper and can he knock Raya off his perch in the future?

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What position does Karl Hein play?

Hein is a goalkeeper and hasn’t played in any other position.

How good is Karl Hein?

Hein started his youth career at JK Loo at just eight years old before moving to Nomme United’s youth team in 2015. After five senior appearances in Estonia’s third tier, he joined Arsenal’s academy in May 2018 and signed his first professional contract a year later.

He made his Arsenal squad debut as an unused substitute in a Europa League match against Dundalk in October 2020. Following a strong pre-season in 2021, he signed a long-term contract with the club and made his first-team debut in the EFL Cup against Brighton in 2022, but he ultimately failed to secure a spot at the Emirates.

Hein was loaned to Reading for the second half of the 2021-22 season, where he gained valuable experience, before coming back to Arsenal.

Indeed, over the summer he left Arsenal to go on a season-long loan to Real Valladolid. He made an immediate impact by helping the team secure a clean sheet and a 1-0 victory over Espanyol in their opening match.

His numbers so far into the new season have been astounding. He was scouted by Ricardo Pereira, formerly head of Nottingham Forest’s academy goalkeeping department at the Spanish club, who is also developing him.

Hein has made an impressive impact in La Liga. He ranks as the second goalkeeper in the league for the most saves per 90 minutes, averaging 3.6 saves, and is also second in total saves with 40. Additionally, he stands third in the league for the most ground sweeps per 90 minutes, achieving an effectiveness rate of 91%, and has made a total of 11 ground sweeps.

Hein boasts the highest average distance for long passes in La Liga, at 47.8 meters. He recorded the third-highest number of saves in a single La Liga match, making 7 saves at home against Villarreal. Furthermore, he holds the second-highest value of goals prevented, with a difference of 2.8 between actual and expected saves (or xSaves) in that same match against Villarreal.

What clubs are interested in Karl Hein?

None at the moment, as he is out on loan in Spain.

How old is Karl Hein?

He is 22 years old, with his birthday in April 2022.

When does Karl Hein’s contract expire?

Hein signed a fresh deal with Arsenal in the summer but it did not say how long it was for.