FULHAM, London – Before leaving Arsenal to join Fulham this season, Bernd Leno spent four years there. 

Bernd Leno, a former goalkeeper for Arsenal who just joined Fulham, claims club “politics” rather than his play led him out of the club. 

After Aaron Ramsdale, who signed from Bournemouth, took over as the starting goalkeeper last season, Leno filled in as a backup. Last month, the German goalkeeper left Arsenal and joined newly promoted Premier League team Fulham.

Before leaving Arsenal to join Fulham this season, Bernd Leno spent four years there.

Additionally, Arsenal acquired New England Revolution’s American goalkeeper Matt Turner, who signed a contract in February and joined in June. 

Leno told the German publication Sport Bild, “When I realized it wasn’t about performance or quality, I knew I had to go. I realized during the preparation that it’s not about the performance, it’s simply about politics, and I knew I had to go. 

Leno has been given the starting job at Fulham and has played in each of their previous four Premier League games.

Before beginning a four-year stint at Arsenal in 2018, the 30-year-old started his career at Bayer Leverkusen, where he made 304 appearances. 

The most crucial thing, according to Leno, is for him to rediscover his rhythm. “It’s up to me to get the attention back on the national team,” he said, “especially after I wasn’t actually able to practice properly at Arsenal and had no preparation.” 

Leno has nine international appearances for Germany, with his most recent being in September 2021 against Liechtenstein.

On Bernd Leno

German goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was born on March 4, 1992, competes for Fulham of the Premier League and the Germany national team.

Leno in 2014 with Bayer Leverkusen 

He was given on loan to Bayer Leverkusen on August 10 and will remain there through December 31. Leno played in his first Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen four days after signing a five-month loan agreement. He became the third goalie in Bundesliga history to record a clean sheet in his first three league contests, joining Dirk Krüssenberg and Heribert Macherey. He became the youngest German goalie to ever participate in a Champions League game when he faced Chelsea on September 13, 2011, at the age of 19 years and 193 days, in the group stage of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal 

Leno signed a five-year, £22.5 million contract with Premier League club Arsenal on June 19, 2018, subject to “the completion of regulatory processes.”

Leno made his Premier League debut in the 2-0 home win over Watford, taking over for regular goalkeeper Petr ech, who sustained an injury in the first half, as Arsenal defeated Vorskla Poltava 4-2 in the Europa League. Unai Emery, the team’s head coach, gave him high marks for his performance, saying, “He is working very well with the goalkeeping coaches. I spoke with him and said the most important thing is when the team needs him to help us, to be prepared. He did that on Wednesday and today as well as against Vorskla. We have three very good goalkeepers.

Leno received 16% of the final voting and finished as the runner-up for the 2019–20 Arsenal Player of the Season award. He played his 100th game for Arsenal in all competitions on February 25, 2021, winning 3-2 against Benfica in the round of 32 of the Europa League. 

After Aaron Ramsdale was hired and named the starting goalkeeper for the 2021–22 season, Leno was demoted to a backup position.

Fulham 

Leno made a rumored £8 million permanent deal to Fulham on August 2, 2022, with a three-year contract with a 12-month extension option.

Bernd Leno –  Height. 189cm

Goalkeeping

Saves – 333

Penalties Saved – 2

Punches – 51

High Claims – 51

Catches – 25

Sweeper clearances – 43

Throw outs – 585

Goal Kicks – 774

Appearances – 105

Clean sheets –  25

Goals – 0

Assists – 0