Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have completed their first summer signing (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have completed their first summer signing after exercising the option to make Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen a permanent deal.
The Ecuador international joined the Gunners during the closing stages of last year’s summer transfer window.
Despite competition from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori, Hincapie ended his maiden campaign in English football as Arsenal’s foirst-choice left-back.
The 24-year-old started crucial games in the run-in against the likes of Manchester City and Burnley, while he kept Calafiori on the bench for the entirety of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Real Madrid has reportedly shown an interest in the versatile defender, but Hincapie has committed his future to the Premier League champions who have paid around £35million to sign him.
‘We are delighted to have activated the option to make Piero Hincapie’s transfer to us permanent from July 1,’ read a statement on Arsenal’s official website.
‘Piero spent last season on loan from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and was an integral part of our Premier League-winning campaign.’
Piero Hincapie is starring for Ecuador at the World Cup (Credits: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Piero Hincapie made 39 appearances for Arsenal last season (Picture: Getty)
Jose Mourinho, who has returned to the Bernabeu for a second spell in charge, had also been said to have registered an interest in Calafiori, but Arsenal are reluctant to sell and the Spanish giants will look elsewhere for a player capable of being deployed at either centre-half or left-back.
Hincapie, meanwhile, made 39 appearances in all competitions as the Gunners saw out their first title in 22 years and reached the final of the Champions League.
Hincapie’s permanent move to the Emirates Stadium had been expected to be a formality with Arsenal confirming they have activated his clause to stay, understood to until 2031.
He becomes the club’s first signing of the summer after Arsenal spent in excess of £250m on seven players last year.
Hincapie has played in both of Ecuador’s World Cup games so far – a 1-0 defeat by the Ivory Coast, followed by a goalless draw with Curacao – and is set to be in action again on Thursday when the South Americans face Germany bidding to reach the knockout stages.
