Arsenal have confirmed the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen, activating the purchase clause in the Ecuador international's loan agreement. The 24-year-old was part of the Arsenal squad that won the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final last season, and the club moved quickly to secure him permanently from July 1.
A Season That Settled Every Question
Hincapie arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2025 with questions around whether he could handle the step up to a title-challenging Premier League side. Twelve months later, those questions are gone. He made 39 appearances across all competitions — a remarkable return for a centre-back initially signed to provide depth — and his partnership with William Saliba became one of the most discussed defensive combinations in European football.
His recovery speed, his ability to press high up the pitch, and the composure he showed when Arsenal's back line was stretched were all key factors in the club conceding the fewest goals in the Premier League for the third consecutive season. Arteta's trust in him grew steadily from October onwards and never wavered.
£45m and Long-Term Stability
Arsenal paid a reported £45m for the permanent deal — a £10m reduction on the originally discussed price. For a 24-year-old centre-back of his calibre who has already embedded himself fully in the squad and the system, it is hard to argue against the value. Hincapie is entering the prime years of his career and the club have avoided any expensive adaptation period.
World Cup Duty With Ecuador
The deal was finalised while Hincapie continues to represent Ecuador at the 2026 World Cup in the United States. His performances on the international stage have added further to his profile. Arsenal will have him back in full pre-season training once Ecuador's tournament ends, giving him and the squad a clean run at the 2026-27 Premier League campaign from the first day.
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