ARSENAL MAKE PIERO HINCAPIE LOAN MOVE PERMANENT FOR £45M

Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £45 million. The Ecuador international initially joined the club on loan in the summer, with an agreement in place for a permanent transfer if certain conditions were met. Leverkusen confirmed that those conditions had been satisfied, allowing Hincapie to remain at the London club on a permanent basis.

Hincapie made 39 appearances across all competitions during his loan spell at Arsenal. The 24-year-old played under manager Mikel Arteta as the side competed in the Premier League. His loan arrangement included the option to purchase, which Arsenal have now exercised.

Hincapie is currently with Ecuador's World Cup squad and is scheduled to play against Germany on Thursday. His permanent transfer secures his future at Arsenal, where he will continue as a key defender for the coming years.