(Credit: Imago)

Who is Karl Hein? Rangers enter race for Arsenal goalkeeper

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

06 Aug 2025, 4:29 pm

Karl Hein could well end up being the latest signing by Rangers so far this summer.

Russell Martin has brought in 10 new players into Ibrox as he looks to close the gap on Celtic.

So far, this has paid off, with many of the new stars having outstanding starts to their Gers career.

However, the one position Martin hasn’t reinforced yet is in goal.

Now, the Scotsman looks to change this, with Hein linked with a move to Rangers going into the final weeks of the transfer window.

Russell Martin urges on his Rangers players at Ibrox

Russell Martin is keen to add more players to his squad (Credit: Imago)

Hein struggled in Spain with Real Valladolid

Hein has been at Arsenal since 2018 but has struggled for game time at the Gunners.

To date, the keeper has only made one competitive appearance for the London club despite Mikel Arteta heavily praising Hein in 2024.

Instead, much of the 23-year-old’s first-team experience comes from loan moves or his international career.

To date, the goalkeeper has won 39 caps for Estonia and was named their Young Footballer of the Year on two separate occasions.

Last season Hein was sent on loan to Real Valladolid, but he did not impress.

Karl Hein stats at Real Valladolid in La Liga
Appearances	31
Clean sheets	5
Goal conceded	68
Save percentage	58.5%
Penalty save percentage	0%
Errors led to goals	1
Goals prevented	-8.2

Hein struggled at Valladolid (Credit: Fotmob)

The goalkeeper played regularly in a side that finished bottom of La Liga with just 14 points.

The Spanish side conceded 90 goals in the division, with Hein playing in 31 of these matches.

Mikel Arteta at Arsenal press conference

Arteta has heavily praise Hein in the past (Credit: Imago)

Hein will surely not replace Butland

While much has been said about Jack Butland’s performances in the latter half of the 2024/25 campaign, the goalkeeper has been sensational under Martin.

Without Butland, Rangers may not have beaten Panathinaikos in the Champions League.

Due to this, if Hein is signed by the Gers, the Estonian international will surely be the Englishman’s understudy.

If not, it will be extremely harsh by Martin, as Butland has arguably been Rangers’ best player so far this season.

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Karl Hein