Arsenal Confirm Permanent Deal for Piero Hincapie
Arsenal have officially activated the purchase option in Piero Hincapie’s loan agreement, making the Ecuadorian centre‑back a permanent member of the squad.
The Premier League champions announced the £45 million transfer on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation about the 24‑year‑old’s future.
Hincapie joined Arsenal on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and the agreed conditions have now been satisfied.
During the 2024‑25 season he made 39 appearances across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in a defence that conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League over the last three campaigns.
In a club statement, Arsenal said:
“We are delighted to have activated the option to make Piero Hincapie’s transfer to us permanent from 1 July.
Piero spent last season on loan from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and was an integral part of our Premier League‑winning campaign.
The 24‑year‑old defender made 39 appearances in all competitions, becoming a key member of our defensive unit, which has now conceded the fewest goals in the last three Premier League seasons.
A successful first season in north London saw Piero make his debut for us in our 2‑0 win away to Athletic Club in the Champions League back in September 2025.
Piero’s first and only goal came in our draw away to Wolves in February, the same month in which he won our Arsenal Player of the Month award, an accolade he would also receive in April.”
The statement also traced Hincapie’s development through Independiente del Valle, a spell with Talleres, and his time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he amassed 166 appearances and helped the German club secure their first Bundesliga title in 2023/24.
Leverkusen confirmed the move, noting that the purchase option conditions were met and that Hincapie will continue his career in the Premier League for the coming years.
Currently on international duty with Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Hincapie is expected to line up when his nation faces Germany on Thursday.
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