Estonian national team goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein wrapped up his loan spell with Spanish La Liga side Real Valladolid in disappointing fashion, as the team suffered a 0–3 defeat to Leganés in their final match of the season.
All three goals were conceded in the first half. Leganés opened the scoring midway through the opening period when Javi Hernández curled a pinpoint shot past Hein into the far post. In the 33rd minute, Seydouba Cissé appeared to double the lead with a well-worked team goal, but VAR intervened to disallow it for a marginal offside. Just three minutes later, Yan Diomandé dribbled into space and struck another well-placed shot into the corner.
While Hein could hardly be blamed for the first two goals, the third was more unfortunate. In the 40th minute, he parried a low cross back into the danger area, where Juan Cruz was quick to pounce and convert from close range.
The result confirmed relegation for both sides, with Valladolid finishing 20th and Leganés 18th in La Liga. Valladolid endured a dreadful run to close the season, losing their final 12 matches and collecting just 16 points from 38 games — the lowest tally in the league.
Despite the team’s struggles, Hein saw significant playing time in his debut La Liga campaign while on loan from Arsenal, making 30 appearances and registering five clean sheets. The 22-year-old was sidelined briefly during the spring due to a shoulder injury but returned to close out the season as the starting keeper.
