Arsenal Confirm Loan-To-Buy Signing Defender Piero Hincapié From Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal has secured the loan signing of highly-rated Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen, with a deal worth around £45 million set to become permanent next summer. Hincapié, 23, who was a key player in Leverkusen's 2024/25 Bundesliga-winning campaign, will wear the No. 5 shirt at Arsenal, previously worn by notable defenders like Thomas Partey and Kolo Toure. This move is expected to lead to the exit of Jakub Kiwior, who is linked with a transfer to Portuguese club Porto. The loan agreement includes a £1.5 million loan fee and performance-related add-ons, and Arsenal had been waiting to confirm Hincapié's arrival before finalizing Kiwior's departure. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has added Hincapié as his eighth summer signing, aiming to strengthen the defense alongside the arrival of Cristhian Mosquera. Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director confirmed that Hincapié was undergoing medical tests in London, and the transfer was anticipated to be completed shortly.