Arsenal loanee impresses in La Liga debut | OneFootball

Arsenal loanee Karl Hein made his debut for Real Valladolid on Monday, keeping a clean sheet to earn his team three points.

VALLADOLID, SPAIN: Karl Hein of Real Valladolid warms up prior to the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on August 19, 2024. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s Karl Hein is set to spend the season on loan with Real Valladolid, and the goalkeeper made his first appearance for the La Liga side against Espanyol on Monday.

It was encouraging just to see Hein in the lineup, so soon after the transfer.

The 22-year-old was unable to play any part for Valladolid in pre-season, but they still trusted him to start their opening game of the competitive campaign. It probably helped that he’d played such a significant pre-season role for Arsenal in the United States.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Karl Hein of Arsenal FC looks on during the first half against AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Even better than that, Hein went on to play 90 minutes and keep a clean sheet, making two saves and a high claim.

Funnily enough, Arsenal loanee Hein was facing off against Arsenal transfer target Joan Garcia on the night, with Garcia heavily linked as a potential summer replacement for Aaron Ramsdale.

Unlike Hein, Garcia didn’t keep a clean sheet in Espanyol’s 1-0 defeat, though he was unfortunate to concede to a heavy deflection. You can watch the highlights here.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE: Joan Garcia of Team Spain warms up prior to the Men’s group C match between Dominican Republic and Spain during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Valladolid are covering Hein’s wages in full this season, after he signed a new contract with Arsenal earlier in the summer.

Hein signed that deal on the condition that Arsenal would find him a good loan, and the early signs are that they’ve done just that.