Former Arsenal goalkeeper James Hillson has confirmed that he’s signed for Chelsea, having spent over five years with the Gunners earlier in his career.
Writing on his LinkedIn profile earlier this month, James Hillson confirmed that he’s signed for Chelsea, revealing that he’s actually spent the entire season so far with Arsenal’s weekend opponents.
“Grateful to have signed with Chelsea FC and spent the season so far at this great club,” Hillson wrote. “After a tough last season, it’s been a real blessing to learn in such an environment, surrounded by high standards and good people.
“Looking forward to continuing to work hard and grafting until the end of the season.”
To clarify, Hillson didn’t spend 2024/25 with Arsenal, so his references to a “tough last season” aren’t related to the Gunners’ campaign.
After more than five years in north London, the goalkeeper was released by Arsenal in June 2024, after which he spent time with Southend United and Enfield Town. But Hillson has now re-signed with a Premier League club in Chelsea.
Football.London report that Hillson doesn’t seem to be part of Chelsea’s first-team plans on the pitch, with his role instead involving supporting Chelsea’s goalkeepers in training.
That’s a similar role to the one Hillson was playing for Arsenal, only very occasionally appearing on the pitch despite repeated contract extensions and involvement in first-team training.
Hillson played twice for the Arsenal u18s and five times for the u21s in his five years at the club, as well as appearing on the bench for the first team on four occasions in Europa League matches. Most players would have left or been released with that kind of appearance rate.
The goalkeeper presumably brings a lot to training behind the scenes, given Arsenal’s multiple contract extensions and Chelsea’s decision to sign him, despite no obvious plans to use him in matches.
Hillson holds a UEFA B Coaching Licence, so he’s clearly doing more than just turning up and working on his fitness. Chelsea are now the beneficiaries of that coaching knowledge.