Arsenal complete loan move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié

Arsenal have secured the signing of Ecuador international Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan, with the option to make the deal permanent next summer for £45m (€52m), Sport360NG reports.

The 23-year-old defender has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable centre-backs, making 166 appearances since his arrival at Leverkusen in 2021. He was part of the squad that lifted both the Bundesliga and German Cup last season.

Hincapié, who will wear the number five shirt, becomes Mikel Arteta’s eighth addition of a busy transfer window, following Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Eberechi Eze.

“Piero gives us real presence at the back,” Arteta told the club’s official website. “His versatility and tactical intelligence add valuable depth to our defence. He combines youthful energy with maturity, and I’m confident he’ll strengthen our squad as we push forward this season.”

The arrival of Hincapié coincides with Jakub Kiwior leaving for Porto on a season-long loan, with the Ecuadorian seen as a direct replacement for the Polish international.

Elsewhere, two midfielders have departed to join Hamburg in Germany: Fábio Vieira, who cost Arsenal £34.2m when he signed from Porto in 2022, has moved on loan, while Albert Sambi Lokonga has completed a permanent switch for an undisclosed fee.