Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen, bringing an end to his loan stint at the Emirates Stadium. The 20-year-old was on loan at the club since January 2023, making 24 appearances across all competitions.
Hincapie's impressive displays during his loan spell caught the attention of manager Mikel Arteta, who has been keen to bolster his defensive options. The young defender is expected to compete with the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Ben White for a starting spot in the team.
Speaking on the move, Hincapie expressed his delight at joining the club permanently, stating: 'I'm really happy to be here, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the team and the coaching staff. I feel like I've settled in well and I'm excited to see what the future holds.'
Hincapie's permanent transfer is believed to be worth a reported £20 million, a fee that will be paid in installments over the next two years. The defender has signed a long-term contract with the club, which is expected to run until 2028.
With the transfer completed, Arsenal will now look to integrate Hincapie into their team, with the defender likely to feature in pre-season friendlies and the club's UEFA Europa League campaign.
Arsenal's sporting director, Edu, expressed his satisfaction with the deal, stating: 'We're delighted to have secured the signing of Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis. He's a talented and young defender who has already shown his capabilities in his loan stint with us.'