Illan Meslier is a talented French footballer born in 2000, known for his role as a goalkeeper.
He began playing football at the age of six with his local club Merlevenez before joining the Lorient academy.
Meslier made his professional debut for F.C. Lorient in a Coupe de la Ligue match on August 14, 2018.
Biography
Early Life
Illan Stéphane Meslier was born on March 2, 2000, in Lorient, Brittany, France. He began his football journey at the tender age of six with his local club Merlevenez. His talent quickly shone through, leading him to join the Lorient academy after a standout match against them.
Career
Meslier signed his first professional contract with F.C. Lorient on February 1, 2018. He made his professional debut shortly after, on August 14, 2018, in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Valenciennes, where he kept a clean sheet. Over the course of the 2018-19 season, he established himself as Lorient's first-choice goalkeeper, playing 30 matches and achieving eleven clean sheets. His impressive performances helped Lorient finish sixth in Ligue 2, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
In August 2019, Meslier moved to England, signing with Leeds United on a season-long loan, with an option for a permanent transfer. He initially served as a backup goalkeeper but gradually earned his place in the starting lineup. Meslier's international career includes representing France at various youth levels, culminating in his participation as the first-choice goalkeeper for the France U20 team during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He has also been capped by the France U21 team, making his debut in May 2021.
Style of Play
Meslier's goalkeeping style has drawn comparisons to that of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, particularly due to his physical stature and presence in goal. His development continues as he aims to solidify his position in both club and international football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Meslier has been capped at international level by France, all the way up to France U21s. He was also part of the France U20 squad for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup playing as the first choice goalkeeper in May 2019. In November 2019, Meslier was called up the France U21 squad and was named as an unused substitute in a 3–1 defeat against Switzerland U21's on 19 November 2019. He was called up again to the France U21 squad in August 2020 for fixtures against Georgia U21 and Azerbaijan U21. He made his debut for the under-21 team playing in the quarter final against the Netherlands on 31 May 2021.
Due to his appearance and physical stature, Meslier's goalkeeping style has been compared to that of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Lorient
Meslier began playing football with his local club Merlevenez at the age of six, and after a successful match against Lorient joined their academy. On 1 February 2018, he signed his first professional contract with Lorient. In July 2018, Lorient rejected a €10 million bid from Ligue 1 side Monaco for Meslier. He also received interest from Premier League side Chelsea. He stayed at Lorient, and shortly made his professional debut under then-manager Mickaël Landreau for Lorient in a 1–0 Coupe de la Ligue win over Valenciennes on 14 August 2018. He kept a clean sheet consecutively in his first five games as a professional, conceding his first ever goal in his 6th game against Paris FC. He saved an injury time penalty from Clermont player Manuel Perez in Lorient's 1–0 win against Clermont. He solidified his place as the club's number 1 keeper during the 2018–19 season, playing 30 times in all competitions, keeping eleven clean sheets. With his form helping Lorient finish sixth in 2018–19 Ligue 2, narrowly missing out on the playoffs due to goal difference compared with Lens.
Leeds United
2019–20 season
On 8 August 2019, Meslier moved to England and signed for then EFL Championship club Leeds United, on a season-long loan, with Leeds also having the option to buy Meslier on a permanent deal. He started the season as second-choice goalkeeper behind Kiko Casilla and competing with Kamil Miazek for a place on the bench, and Meslier gained a…
- Club
- F.C. Lorient (2018–2019)
- Club
- France national under-20 association football team (2019–)
- Club
- Leeds United F.C. (2019–2026)
- National team
- France
Personal
Illan Stéphane Meslier was born on 2 March 2000 in Lorient, Brittany, France.
Clubs
Played together with
Aapo HalmeLeeds United F.C.
Aaron LennonLeeds United F.C. · 2003–2005- Abdallah YaisienFrance national under-20 association football team · 2013–2013
Abdoulaye DialloFrance national under-20 association football team · 2011–2012
Abdoulaye DoucouréFrance national under-20 association football team · 2012–2013
Abdoulwhaid SissokoFrance national under-20 association football team · 2011–2011
Abdul Majeed WarisF.C. Lorient · 2015- Ablaï BaldéFrance national under-20 association football team · 2006–2006
Adam ClaytonLeeds United F.C. · 2010–2010- Adam ClaytonLeeds United F.C. · 2010–2012
- Adam DruryLeeds United F.C. · 2012–2014
Adam JohnsonLeeds United F.C. · 2006–2006
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Illan Stéphane Meslier is a French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Arsenal.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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