Karl Jakob Hein, being capped twice for Estonia’s Under-21s only at the age of eighteen, is one of the names that has got his home country much excited.
Karl joined Arsenal from Nomme United in on a free transfer and has been featuring for the Gunners’ U18s and U23s – showing beyond his years, and that’s exactly why many big clubs laid red carpet for him at the time of his move to Arsenal, including rivals Manchester United.
Speaking with Estonian FA, Karl Jakob Hein recalled about the time when he got to know about United’s interests.
“Manchester United’s offer was a shock, because it’s such a big club and I admired Edwin Van der Sar and their 2008 team, whose videos I’ve watched on YouTube. Therefore, at first, it seemed a little bit unbelievable that I would have the opportunity to go to that club.”
Yet, Hein decided to continue his development at the Hale End rather than at the City of Manchester. Why?
Karl explained: “I went to every club to show myself. I was at United for three days, in other clubs for a little longer. The first impression might have been deceptive, but it seemed to me that discipline and the organisational side, as well as other details, were at a higher level at Arsenal.
“In Manchester, for example, transport was always late, which is why I was late for training. The reception at Arsenal was very friendly and the club left a very good impression, because, let’s be honest, there was no difference in terms of level because both Arsenal and United are among the top in the world.”
There is more…
The path to national team would be ‘more logical’ with the Gunners, as they frature in U23’s top-tier where was the Old Trafford side aren’t.
Moreover, and yet something which is most important, ‘it’s also easier to go home from London’.
