Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Ecuador international defender Piero Hincapie on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with an option to make the move permanent for £45 million ($60 million) at the end of the campaign.
The 23-year-old joins the Gunners after establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable defenders, making more than 100 appearances for Leverkusen since his arrival in 2021. Hincapie was instrumental in their historic Bundesliga title win in 2023-24, showcasing his versatility and physical dominance across the backline.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the defender’s arrival, emphasizing his adaptability and leadership qualities.
“We are so pleased to welcome Piero Hincapie to the club. He has a real physical presence, with his versatility and tactical flexibility giving us strong added defensive options,” Arteta said.
“He is a big character, with a very good combination of both youth and maturity. He will make our squad stronger and more competitive as we continue into this season. We welcome Piero and his family to Arsenal.”
Hincapie will wear the number five shirt at Arsenal and is expected to provide immediate reinforcement to the Gunners’ defense as they balance domestic and European commitments. He will join up with the squad after returning from international duty with Ecuador, where he has already earned 46 caps and featured in the 2022 World Cup as well as Copa America tournaments in 2021 and 2024.
The signing continues Arsenal’s ambitious summer transfer window, marking their eighth acquisition since the end of last season. He follows Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, and Eberechi Eze into the Emirates.
For Arteta, the addition of Hincapie is expected to bring stability and depth to Arsenal’s defensive unit, as the North London club pushes to remain competitive in the Premier League title race and Champions League campaign.
