[Photos] First photos of Piero Hincapie in no.5 -shirt after Arsenal confirm signature

Arsenal has confirmed the signing of Piero Hincapie for a first seasonal loan agreement from Bayer Leverkusen, according to Arsenal.com.

With Jacub Kiwior at FC Porto in a deal with a value of a maximum of £ 23 million, Mikel Arteta needed a replacement and Hincapie arose last week as the most important target of Arsenal.

A deal quickly agreed with Leverkusen and the defender said his farewell’s after the clubs 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen on Saturday had been an unused replacement in the game.

The 23-year-old flew to London on Sunday to undergo his medical and to complete his move to the Emirates Stadium.

Those formalities were completed without problems and hincapie has now been unveiled as an Arsenal player with the deal closed before tonight’s deadline.

The Ecuadorian International has joined a first seasonal-length deal with Arsenal with an option to make the move permanent £ 45 million next summer. Leverkusen also has a 10% clause as part of the deal.

Both clubs wanted a loan with an option to buy, so that they could book the transfer in next year’s accounts, so the permanent switch from Hincapie to Arsenal is seen as nothing more than a formality in 2026.

Ambitious summer

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have undergained the Arsenal team that summer. Hincapie becomes the clubs eight major signing after the Kepa Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimenddi, Noni Madueke, Christian Nørgaard, Cristian Mosquera, Viktor Gyökeres and Ebereechi Ebera.

The South American plays comfortably in both center-back and left back, so that it will offer Arteta a different versatile option in the rear four.

He joined Leverkusen on the Argentinian side CA Talleres in 2021 and has built up a reputation as one of the most talented young defenders in the Bundesliga.

Hincapie leaves Leverkusen after he has made 166 performances, while he also earned 46 caps for the national team of Ecuador, so he brings a lot of experience for someone who is so young.

He will make contact with his new teammates after the upcoming international break and will wear the number 5 shirt. Hincapie could make the team for the collision of Arsenal with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on 13 September.

Here are more photos of Hincapie in his Arsenal -Kit: