English club Arsenal announced on Thursday the signing of French goalkeeper Illan Meslier for the first team on a free transfer, following his departure from Leeds United. Meslier said in a press release issued by the Premier League champions last season: 'I am very happy and proud to join Arsenal. I can't wait to show how much I love this badge, and I can't wait to win trophies with this team, because this is a club that needs to keep lifting titles.' The French goalkeeper added: 'First and foremost, I want to start working with the goalkeepers in the team, to show my real level, and continue to develop my skills and abilities. Then, of course, I want to get some playing time, because that's what I missed last year.' Meslier, 26, joins 'The Gunners' after seven seasons with Leeds, where he made 215 appearances in all competitions and kept 70 clean sheets. Meslier faces strong competition for a place in the starting lineup from David Raya, the first-choice goalkeeper who won the Premier League Golden Glove last season. Meslier began his career at his hometown club Lorient, graduating from the academy before making his first-team debut in 2018 at the age of 18. After playing 28 league matches in the 2018-2019 season, he joined Leeds on loan in August 2019. The goalkeeper helped Leeds gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season in England, later moving to the club on a permanent basis. Meslier continued his career, making 107 Premier League appearances for the Yorkshire-based club. Meslier will wear the number 30 shirt and will join his new teammates in pre-season training, ahead of Arsenal's opening league match against newly-promoted Coventry City on August 21.