First interview with our new stopper
Karl Hein became our first signing of the January transfer window when he joined up on a loan switch from Arsenal until the end of the campaign on Monday – he discussed the challenge ahead and his delight at completing the deal.
The 19-year-old Estonian has a dozen full international caps to his name, as well as some fantastic experience travelling all over Europe as part of Arsenal’s first team squad in recent months… he hopes those experiences will stand him in good stead for the challenge ahead.
“It feels amazing – I’m really glad that I got the move to such a big club as my first loan,” Karl said. “I’m very happy and I can’t wait to get started.
“When I first heard that Reading were interested to take me on loan, I was really happy to hear about that. It was a good job from my agents and the two clubs had good talks between each other.
“The Championship is a very big league, a tough league, and I know the standards here. So I can’t wait to get going.
“It’s been a really good journey for me so far, to be involved with the first team at Arsenal and with top players from around Europe. That has helped me a lot in my development. I’ve learned a lot from that, so I hope I can take my learnings to my loan here.
“I’ve also had good experience with my national team, and some big games such as playing against Wales and a lot of Championship players there. So I’ve got a bit of a taste for it.”
Positions are there to be fought for – our new arrival knows he’ll need to prove his worth if he wants to earn a place between the sticks.
But he hopes to follow in the footsteps of another former Arsenal loanee goalkeeper at Reading; Emi Martinez’s loan to the Royals at the tail end of the 2018-19 season was the start of a sharp rise which has seen him win silverware as a full Argentina international. A worthy role-model to try to emulate.
“I’m a modern-day goalkeeper – I’ll try to do everything to keep the ball out of the net first, then help the team in any way possible,” Karl continued.
“I want to help Reading in the situation that the club is at right now. I want to make sure we do our best to go up the league rankings, and to win games!
“In the goalkeeping department, competition is guaranteed. The goalkeeping union pushes each other, helps each other.
“Emi came here a few seasons ago – I’ve spoken to him. He showed that after a good loan, everything can happen. This is the Championship – it’s a good level of football here. Hopefully I can crack on, do well, and keep going.”
