By Adegboyega Adeleye

Premier League champions Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen after activating an option in his loan agreement.

The 24-year-old centre-back spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Arsenal, playing a key role as Mikel Arteta’s side clinched the Premier League title.

Hincapie made 39 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners and started 20 league matches as Arsenal finished the campaign with one of the division’s strongest defensive records, conceding just 27 goals.

The Ecuador international also featured in Arsenal’s starting line-up in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Before moving to north London, Hincapie made 166 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen and helped the German club win their first Bundesliga title during the historic 2023/24 season, when they completed an unbeaten domestic campaign.

Hincapie began his professional career with Independiente del Valle before joining Argentine side Talleres de Cordoba in 2020. After one season in Argentina, he secured a move to Leverkusen, where he established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable defenders.

On the international stage, Hincapie has earned 54 caps for the Ecuador national football team and has represented his country at four major tournaments, including the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The deal will officially come into effect on July 1, ending a successful loan spell that helped Arsenal return to the summit of English football.

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