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Arsenal confirm turning loan move permanent

Arsenal have confirmed they’ve activated their option to sign Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen, with the player’s loan to turn permanent on July 1st.

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Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Arsenal have officially confirmed that they’ve activated their option to make Piero Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen into a permanent deal, with the player having spent the last season in north London on a temporary basis.

The total cost of the Gunners’ deal to sign Hincapie was reportedly €52m (£45m), with Leverkusen also holding a 10% sell-on clause.

Arsenal pre-agreed a five-year contract with Hincapie prior to his loan move, which will now become active. As a result, he’ll be tied down until 2031, longer than anyone else in the squad.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Piero Hincapie of Arsenal celebrate his sides first goal scored by Viktor Gyokeres (Not Pictured) during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Hincapie made 39 appearances for Arsenal in his debut campaign, scoring one goal and providing a couple of assists. Signing as a versatile option capable of playing at left-back or centre-back, the 24-year-old spent plenty of time in both positions in 2025/26.

The season ultimately ended with Arsenal as Premier League champions, but with Hincapie featuring in two final defeats against Manchester City (League Cup) and Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League).

So whilst there were plenty of reasons to celebrate Hincapie’s first season, he’ll be pushing for even more next year.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: A tattoo reading 'God is Love' on the neck of Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 20, 2025. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images

Hincapie is currently away with Ecuador at the World Cup, but his team are in a tough spot after their first two games. Unless they can beat Germany in their final group match (a draw wouldn’t be enough), they’ll be eliminated.

From an Arsenal perspective, that would at least mean the defender playing a full part in pre-season. But it would be a shame to see the team going out so early.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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