Arsenal have completed the signing of Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen, securing the Ecuadorian defender on an initial season-long loan with an option to buy for €52 million (£45 million).
Arsenal will pay an initial €6 million (£5 million) loan fee, with the remainder due if and when the option is triggered in 2026.
Leverkusen have retained a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
He is expected to earn over €6.5 million (£5.6 million) per season, nearly double the €3.4 million he received in Germany, taking his weekly wage to around £108,000. In addition, he negotiated a 10 per cent share of the transfer fee, worth roughly £4.5 million before agent and negotiation costs.
About the move, Mikel Arteta said, “We are so pleased to welcome Piero Hincapie to the club.
“Piero has a real physical presence, with his versatility and tactical flexibility giving us strong added defensive options. 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.”
Andrea Berta added, “We are delighted to have completed the loan signing for the season of Piero Hincapie.
“At only 23, Piero already has significant experience, both in the Bundesliga and at international level. He is an intelligent defender with real strength and versatility. His performances in recent years for both club and country have been of a consistent high quality, and we are confident Piero will continue to grow this season and be an important player for us.”
The defender, who made 166 appearances for Leverkusen with seven goals and five assists, played a central role in their unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season and German Cup triumph in 2023–24.
He has also established himself as a mainstay in Ecuador’s national side.
Hincapié’s arrival coincides with Jakub Kiwior joining Porto on a loan with an obligation to buy.
Arsenal have long sought a left-sided centre-half to complement William Saliba and Gabriel, and Mikel Arteta made Hincapié a priority signing after holding direct conversations with Leverkusen. Tottenham also made bids for the player but withdrew once Arsenal got serious.
Renowned for his pace, balance on the ball and ability to step out from the back, Hincapié can operate centrally or at left-back.
Should Arsenal take up their option in 2026, Hincapié will sign a five-year contract running until 2031.
He will wear the number 5 shirt.