Premier League champions Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen after activating the purchase option in his loan agreement.
The Ecuador international joined the Gunners during the closing stages of last summer’s transfer window and quickly established himself as a key member of the squad.
Despite competition from academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, Hincapie ended his first season in England as Arsenal’s preferred left-back, featuring prominently during the club’s successful Premier League title campaign.
The 24-year-old started crucial matches during the run-in, including fixtures against Manchester City and Burnley, and was also preferred to Calafiori in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
The permanent transfer had long been expected, with Arsenal now confirming that the deal will officially take effect from July 1.
Announcing the move on its webiste, the English club said, “We are delighted to have activated the option to make Piero Hincapie’s transfer to us permanent from July 1.”
The statement added, “Piero spent last season on loan from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and was an integral part of our Premier League-winning campaign.”
Reports had linked Hincapie with a move to Real Madrid, but the defender has opted to continue his career at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are understood to have paid around £35 million to secure his services on a long-term contract, reportedly running until 2031.
Hincapie made 39 appearances in all competitions last season as Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for a league title and also reached the Champions League final.
The defender becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window after the club invested more than £250 million on seven players during the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, Hincapie is currently on international duty with the Ecuador national football team.
He has featured in both of Ecuador’s World Cup matches so far, a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast national football team and a goalless draw against the Curaçao national football team, and is expected to be in action again when Ecuador face Germany national football team in their final group game.
