Arsenal Land Leverkusen Star, Piero Hincapie on Loan‎

Arsenal Land Leverkusen Star, Piero Hincapie on Loan‎

By Bashir Adigun

Arsenal’s summer of reinforcements took a significant step on Transfer deadline day with the arrival of Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié, who joins the Gunners from Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the 2025/26 season. The 23-year-old becomes Arsenal’s eighth signing of the transfer window, further underlining Mikel Arteta’s intent to build depth and versatility in his squad.
For Arsenal, Hincapié’s capture is more than just another addition—it marks history. The centre-back is the first Ecuadorian ever to wear the famous red and white jersey, extending the club’s proud record of fielding talent from across the globe to 65 different nationalities.
Hincapié’s journey to north London is a story of resilience, talent, and rapid growth. Born in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, he first honed his skills playing barefoot on sandy beaches rather than manicured pitches. As a boy, he dazzled in local beach tournaments before moving into organized football with grassroots clubs like Escuela Refinería, Emelec, and Barcelona SC.
At just 14, Hincapié made a career-defining leap to join Independiente del Valle, travelling nearly eight hours to train with the club. Speaking to Scouted Football about those formative years, he recalled finding inspiration in Barcelona legend Carles Puyol:
“I watched the videos so I wouldn’t get bored on the bus, and that’s when I realised how much I liked Puyol. He had a special way of playing—perhaps less technical than Ramos—but he was a leader and a captain. One of the best centre-backs I’ve ever seen.”
Hincapié quickly made his mark. In 2020, he was instrumental in Independiente’s triumph in the U20 Copa Libertadores, playing a full 90 minutes in the final against River Plate as his side lifted the trophy for the first time.
After a brief stint in Argentina with Talleres, Hincapié earned a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2021. He debuted in the Europa League and even scored against Celtic in a 4-0 win. His first season ended with Champions League qualification, but it was under Xabi Alonso that he truly blossomed.
In the historic 2023/24 season, Hincapié featured in 26 league matches as Leverkusen stormed to their first-ever Bundesliga title, going unbeaten across the campaign. He also played a vital role in their DFB-Pokal triumph and their run to the Europa League final, where they fell just short of a treble after losing to Atalanta.
Leverkusen’s remarkable dominance continued in 2024 with victory in the
DFL -Supercup, cementing Hincapié’s reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable young defenders.
Hincapié’s impact on the international stage has been just as remarkable. Since making his senior debut at the 2021 Copa América, he has earned 46 caps for La Tricolor. He played all three group games at the 2022 World Cup, facing off against Senegal, the Netherlands, and hosts Qatar.
In 2024, he was named in the Copa América Team of the Tournament after standout performances, including a goal against Jamaica in the group stage. Later that year, he captained Ecuador for the first time, wearing the armband in goalless draws against Uruguay and Brazil—matches that underscored his growing stature as a leader.
Mikel Arteta, speaking on the signing, highlighted Hincapié’s qualities:
“Piero is a player with great character and versatility. He has played at the highest level in Europe and internationally, and he brings us both quality and leadership. We believe he will adapt quickly and strengthen our defensive options this season.”
Arsenal fans are equally excited. On social media, one supporter wrote: “Finally, a proper left-footed defender with experience at the top level. This could be one of the smartest signings of the window.”
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown also praised the move, telling BBC Sport:
“Hincapié is the kind of defender Arsenal have been missing—tenacious, composed, and with the mentality of a winner. He’ll add steel and depth, which is vital if they’re serious about challenging on all fronts.”
With the Gunners aiming to retain their Premier League crown and mount another strong challenge in Europe, Hincapié’s arrival gives Arteta greater flexibility in defence. His ability to play at centre-back and left-back will provide crucial cover in a season where Arsenal will need squad depth to balance domestic and continental ambitions.
For Hincapié, the move represents both a personal milestone and a fresh challenge. From the beaches of Esmeraldas to the Emirates Stadium, his story continues to be one of breaking barriers—and Arsenal will be hoping he can anchor their backline as they chase glory.