Arsenal announced they have made Piero Hincapie's loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, agreeing a transfer fee reported between £34.5 million plus add-ons and £45 million (52 million euros) [1, 2, 3]. The 24-year-old Ecuador international defender signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club [2, 3].
Hincapie initially joined Arsenal on loan last summer and played an important role in the 2025-26 season when Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. He made 25 league appearances for the club last season, with some sources citing 39 appearances in all competitions [1, 2, 3].
Before moving to Arsenal, Hincapie was a key player for Bayer Leverkusen during their unbeaten 2023-24 Bundesliga winning campaign [2, 3]. His consistent form earned him a place in Arsenal's defense as they claimed the English top-flight title.
Currently, Hincapie is at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Ecuador. He has started in two Group E matches and is scheduled to face Germany on Thursday [1, 2, 3].
Arsenal’s decision to activate the transfer option secures Hincapie’s stay at the club for the next five years, reflecting their long-term defensive plans [2, 3]. The World Cup match against Germany on June 26 is the next significant event in Hincapie’s career.
