03.12.2019 - 11:00 | Source: Transfermarkt | Reading Time: 6 mins

Talents calendar

Karl Hein: Estonia’s Young Guns keeper follows in the footsteps of mentor Mart Poom

It was on June 10th, 2009, at just after 10 pm local time, when arguably the biggest name in the history of Estonian football left the football pitch, and in this specific case the goal, for good. Mart Poom was seen off under standing ovations from the spectators, almost exactly 17 years after he made his debut for the national team in a friendly against Portugal. Previously, he made his mark in England with 223 league appearances for Derby County, Arsenal and Watford amongst others. Although Estonian football produced some other players - mainly goalkeepers - since then, who also became professional players abroad, a real star of the calibre of Poom has not been amongst them.

Stats Mart Poom Goalkeeper Career stats –

All competitions Games 259 GT 316 Clean sheet 95

Knowing about the poorly developed youth work in Estonia at the time, Poom made the unusual step and founded his own football academy. The teams belonging to it compete under the name FC Nõmme United and regularly win the championship on youth level. The senior side, which is formed by former academy players was recently promoted to the 2nd tier for the first time. The main task of the football school remains to specifically develop talents on the search of the for next Estonian star - the next Poom.

In course of this, a talented keeper, who joined FC Nõmme United from the youth setup of JK Loo in 2015, early caught the eye: Karl Jakob Hein (photo). In 2017, he made his first appearance for the U-17 team as a 14-year-old - only one year later, the first match for the senior side in the 3rd tier followed. The national football association also spotted his talent. In June 2017, he made his debut for the U-17 national team against Finland and quickly become the side’s undisputed number one. His reflexes on the line and control of the box early left a mark, with rumours about scouts from bigger clubs having him on the radar becoming more and more.

Stats Karl Hein Goalkeeper Season 19/20 –

All competitions Games 13 GT 22 Clean sheet 1

Clubs from England were in the pole position. Hein introduced himself at the academies of Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal, where he went on trial. He was able to pick a club himself and, in the end, decided in favour of Arsenal - a move, his mentor and former Gunners player Poom recommended to him. In April 2018, shortly after his 16th birthday, Hein signed a scholarship contract, which was running for one year, starting on July first, 2018. With adequate performances, a three-year contract would be next. Hein accordingly had one year of time to recommend himself in Arsenal’s U-18 side to earn the deal.

After Hein remained on the bench for a few games at the start of the 2018/19 season, he finally emerged as the side’s number one and performed well for the rest of 2018. Bad news for him and the hopeful Estonian fans in his home country emerged at the beginning of 2019, however. Hein broke his hand, a serious injury for a goalkeeper of course, and was out for the rest of the season. He therefore could not recommend himself for a new contract anymore.

The coaches and decision makers at Arsenal were already convinced of him, however. After his recovery, he was regularly involved in first team training and learned a lot from Petr Cech und Bernd Leno, who especially helped him to develop his footballing skills. Being called up to the U-23 squad in the meantime, Hein signed his first professional contract in May 2019, which is running until 2022.

Smith Rowe, Hein & Co. Arsenals U-23 squad Overview In August, he made his U-23 debut in a 2-2 against Everton. The team was looking for a new goalkeeper following the departure of Dejan Iliev, with Hein competing for the number one spot with Arthur Okonkwo at the start of the season. At the latest, when the young Englishman picked up an injury, head coach Steve Bould, who previously worked as an assistant for the first team, could not imagine a side without Hein in goal. In his home country, his performances were rewarded as well. Following the 17-year-old’s U-19 debut in September, he made his first appearance for the U-21 national team in a European qualifier one month later.

© EJL / Karl Hein in goal for Estonia's U-21 national team

In addition to his footballing qualities, Hein also has the character to become a professional. In a recent interview with Soccernet.ee, he stated that he would make extensive use of the opportunities offered by a club like Arsenal. Regular training with the first team, technical training to develop his footballing skills, working with video analysts and exchanges with sports psychologists are extremely important to him. Especially the handling of special pressure situations is of special relevance. Because, if a footballer suddenly plays in front of 60,000 spectators at Emirates Stadium, should not feel out of his depth. Exactly this feeling a player has to overcome, especially as a goalkeeper.

As a fitting example, Hein mentioned in the interview the European qualifier between Estonia and Germany (0-3). Emre Can has been sent off early. While many teams would have been overchallenged, the German players remained calm individually and as a group, focused on their strengths and continued the game as if they were still complete. These are exactly the strengths he wants to develop himself. It is easy to believe that the opportunities offered by a club like Arsenal will be invaluable in this regard.

Talking about Germany: Even if Hein says that he wants to be the "next Mart Poom", he always adds "at least" to this sentence. His role model is Manuel Neuer, who impresses him in every aspect and from whom he takes his inspiration from. Poom continues to be his mentor, to whom he talks to once a week and who advises him on many things. As far as his own footballing future is concerned, Hein sets himself challenging targets.

One day, Hein wants to be Estonia’s number one and play in of the five best leagues in Europe. On his way to the top, he would consider a loan deal, despite having two-and-a-half years left on his Gunners contract. No matter, which club he chooses for picking up match experience, one could expect that club to consider themselves fortunate.

By Steffen Ries

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