Premier League champions Arsenal have signed Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié permanently from Bayer Leverkusen after triggering the purchase option in his loan deal.
Hincapié arrived late last summer and quickly became a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad. Despite competition from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori, the 24‑year‑old claimed the starting role at left‑back during Arsenal’s title‑winning season.
He played crucial matches against Manchester City and Burnley, and Arteta trusted him ahead of Calafiori in the Champions League semi‑final against Paris Saint‑Germain. In total, Hincapié made 39 appearances, helping Arsenal end a 22‑year wait for the league crown and reach the Champions League final.
The transfer takes effect on July 1. Arsenal stated: “We are delighted to have activated the option to make Piero Hincapié’s transfer to us permanent from July 1.
Piero spent last season on loan from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and was an integral part of our Premier League-winning campaign.”
Linked with Real Madrid, Hincapié chose to continue his career at the Emirates. Arsenal paid around £35 million, and his contract runs until 2031.
He becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the summer window after last season’s £250 million investment in seven players. Currently, Hincapié is on international duty with Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He has already featured against Ivory Coast and Curaçao and is expected to play in the decisive group clash with Germany.
