Arsenal make Piero Hincapie's £34.5m move permanent as Arteta secures first summer signing

Arsenal have confirmed the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen, triggering a £34.5m (€40m) purchase option plus add-ons to retain the defender ahead of their Premier League title defence.

Hincapie joined the Gunners on loan last September and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in Mikel Arteta’s squad, making 25 Premier League appearances as Arsenal ended a 21-year wait for the domestic title. The deal to make him a permanent fixture had long been considered a formality, and the club have now confirmed it is done, with the 24-year-old signing a contract through to 2031.

The Ecuador international’s form attracted attention from elsewhere during his loan spell, with Real Madrid among the clubs reported to have held an interest in the versatile defender. Arsenal’s decision to exercise their option has ended that speculation, securing Hincapie’s future in north London for the foreseeable future.

Hincapie becomes Arteta’s first confirmed signing of the summer as Arsenal look to build on their title-winning campaign. The permanent deal represents a straightforward piece of business for the club, converting a successful loan arrangement into a long-term commitment without the uncertainty of a competitive transfer window bidding process.