Werder Bremen completed the capture of Arsenal keeper Karl Hein on loan. The 23-year-old is intended to serve as a backup to new No. 1 Mio Backhaus, but still might feature this season due to Backhaus’ inexperience. Backhaus has not even made a Bundesliga appearance yet.
After narrowly losing out to Michael Zetterer in training camp, Backhaus was unexpectedly promoted when Zetterer received a chance to transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt. Zetterer will be standing in goal against his former club – who happen to be in crisis – this weekend. Backhaus finds himself under pressure.
Though he hasn’t featured for the Gunners yet, Hein did serve as the regular No. 1 for Real Valladolid in La Liga last season. In addition, the 23-year-old has already earned 39 caps for his native Estonia. Goalkeeping coach Christian Vander hinted that Hein might get a chance to start.
“We are delighted that we were able to fill the vacant position so quickly,” Werder personnel executive Peter Niemeyer noted in a club statement. “Karl has already impressed in La Liga and also shown his qualities in the Estonian national team.”
”Karl is a young keeper with a lot of experience,” Vander added. “He’ll heat up the competitive nature of the position.“
“The decision to move to Werder was very easy for me,” Hein said. “With such a traditional club, great fans, and a beautiful stadium, I didn’t have to think twice.“
GGFN | Peter Weis
