Illan Meslier is a 26-year-old French goalkeeper who plays for Arsenal, wearing the No. 30 shirt. Born in Lorient, France, on 2 March 2000, he built his reputation during a long spell with Leeds United before joining Arsenal as a free agent in July 2026. UEFA currently lists him in Arsenal’s 2026/27 squad alongside David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Meslier’s profile also contains a few details that are easy to get wrong online. His height varies between football databases, his Arsenal salary is not officially disclosed, and his current relationship status is not reliably confirmed. The French Football Federation lists his height at 196 cm (about 6 ft 5 in), making that the strongest figure to use.
Quick Bio: Illan Meslier
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Illan Meslier |
| Date of Birth | 2 March 2000 |
| Age | 26 |
| Birthplace | Lorient, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 196 cm (FFF listing) |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Current Club | Arsenal |
| Shirt Number | 30 |
| Former Clubs | FC Lorient, Leeds United |
| International Career | France U18, U19, U20 and U21 |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
The French Football Federation confirms Meslier’s birth details, preferred left foot, position and 196 cm height. Its records also document appearances for France from U18 through U21 level.
How Old Is Illan Meslier?
Illan Meslier was born on 2 March 2000, which makes him 26 years old as of September 2026.
His age is worth checking carefully because older player pages can remain indexed long after a birthday. Meslier will turn 27 on 2 March 2027.
How Tall Is Illan Meslier?
The French Football Federation lists Illan Meslier at 196 cm, approximately 6 ft 5 in.
That figure is more useful than simply copying whichever number appears first in search results because football databases have published differing measurements for Meslier. When authoritative and secondary sources disagree on a player’s height, an official national-association profile provides stronger evidence than an unsourced biography page.
His height has naturally suited the goalkeeper position, although Meslier did not actually begin playing football in goal.
From Attacker to Goalkeeper in Brittany
Meslier grew up around Lorient in Brittany and started playing for ES Merlevenez. In an interview with the French Football Federation, he explained that his first position was attacker.
His switch to goalkeeper happened almost by accident. When his team needed somebody to go in goal during training, the young Meslier was asked because he was the tallest player. He was around eight or nine years old and quickly discovered that he was well suited to the position.
He later trained with FC Lorient, the major club in his home region. Meslier described Lorient as his childhood club and eventually progressed through its system to senior football. He recalled making his professional debut against Valenciennes in the Coupe de la Ligue in August 2018, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory.
The Leeds United Years
Meslier’s move to England became the defining period of his early senior career. He spent seven seasons associated with Leeds United and made 215 appearances in all competitions, according to reporting around his departure.
He was part of the Leeds squad that won promotion from the Championship under Marcelo Bielsa in 2019/20. The FFF also records Meslier as a Championship winner with Leeds in both 2020 and 2025, reflecting the club’s two promotion-winning campaigns during his time there.
His situation changed significantly toward the end of his Leeds career. Sky Sports reported that he did not make a first-team appearance during the 2025/26 season after previously spending several years as the club’s regular goalkeeper.
Leeds subsequently confirmed that Meslier would leave when his contract expired in summer 2026.
Illan Meslier’s Arsenal Move
Arsenal signed Meslier on a free transfer on 9 July 2026 after his Leeds contract ended. Sky Sports reported that the agreement was for two years with an option for a third season.
UEFA now lists Meslier as an Arsenal goalkeeper wearing No. 30, confirming that his current club is Arsenal rather than Leeds despite older pages still circulating online.
At the time of his signing, Sky reported that Meslier was expected to arrive behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the goalkeeper hierarchy. That description should be treated as the reported situation at signing rather than a permanent label, as squad roles can change during a season.
Meslier was involved during Arsenal’s 2026 pre-season, including an appearance against Girona in which Arsenal’s official match report credited him with making two saves after coming on as a substitute.
Has Meslier Played for France?
Meslier has represented France at youth international level, but he should not be described as a senior France international without evidence of a senior cap.
The FFF records 13 France U21 appearances, along with four U20 appearances, five at U19 level and three at U18 level.
That distinction matters because player biographies sometimes use “France international” too loosely, which can give readers the impression that a player has appeared for the senior national team.
Family and Personal Life
Meslier has shared a limited amount about his family while keeping most relatives away from the public spotlight.
In his FFF interview, he recalled going carp fishing with his father when he was young and said his family remained based around Lorient. He also said his family had not originally been particularly interested in football, although his mother later became highly knowledgeable about the sport. Meslier also mentioned having an older brother who helped manage his social media.
Reliable public sources do not provide enough reason to publish unnecessary private details about his relatives.
Does Illan Meslier Have a Girlfriend?
Illan Meslier’s current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed by reliable sources.
Photos, fan speculation or unsourced biography sites should not be used to identify somebody as his girlfriend, wife or partner. Unless Meslier or a credible publication publicly confirms a relationship, his private life is best treated as private.
Arsenal Contract, Salary and Net Worth
Meslier’s reported Arsenal contract is easier to establish than his exact earnings. Sky Sports reported a two-year agreement with an option for an additional year when he joined in July 2026.
Capology currently estimates his fixed Arsenal salary at around £45,000 gross per week, or approximately £2.34 million per year, excluding bonuses. However, Capology clearly states that salary figures are estimates and should not be treated as official club disclosures.
An exact Illan Meslier net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Precise figures published by celebrity-wealth websites should therefore be treated cautiously because a footballer’s assets, investments, liabilities and commercial income are generally private.
FAQs
What club does Illan Meslier play for?
Meslier currently plays for Arsenal. UEFA lists him in the club’s 2026/27 squad as goalkeeper No. 30.
How old is Illan Meslier?
He is 26 years old. Meslier was born on 2 March 2000 in Lorient, France.
How tall is Illan Meslier?
The French Football Federation lists him at 196 cm, or roughly 6 ft 5 in. Other databases have published different measurements, so the FFF figure is the strongest official reference.
What number does Illan Meslier wear for Arsenal?
Meslier wears No. 30 for Arsenal. UEFA’s current player and squad records both list that shirt number.
Why did Illan Meslier leave Leeds United?
His Leeds contract expired in summer 2026. Leeds officially confirmed his departure before he subsequently signed for Arsenal as a free agent.
Is Illan Meslier a France international?
Meslier has represented France at several youth levels, including U21, but the FFF record does not show a senior France appearance. He recorded 13 caps for the French U21 team.
Is Illan Meslier married?
There is no reliable public confirmation establishing that Meslier is married or identifying a current wife or partner. His relationship status should therefore be described as not publicly confirmed rather than guessed from social media or gossip sites.
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