Arsenal have agreed a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and the Ecuador international has previously been compared to a Tottenham Hotspur star
Arsenal are set to seal a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie, who was previously likened to Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero. Hincapie has spent four years at Leverkusen but is expected to become Arsenal’s eighth signing of the summer.
The Gunners have agreed an initial loan deal with an option to buy the 23-year-old for £45million, despite reportedly having a £50m release clause. He is viewed as Arsenal’s replacement for Jakub Kiwior ahead of his proposed move to Porto.
Hincapie previously admitted that his brother had compared him to Spurs defender Romero, though the Ecuador international attempted to model his game on other top stars. Here is a closer look at Hincapie’s career so far.
Early years and move to Bayer Leverkusen
Hincapie left home as a 10-year-old to pursue his football career, attending his club CS Norte America’s boarding school in Guayaquil. He later joined Independiente del Valle, where he won the U20 Copa Libertadores and made three first team appearances before earning a move to Argentinian side Talleres.
He featured on 22 occasions for Talleres during his sole year in Argentina. Hincapie subsequently made his Ecuador debut during the 2021 Copa America, with his performances capturing Leverkusen’s attention.
Hincapie, who can operate at centre-back and left-back, has played 166 games for the German side. He made 26 league appearances as Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024, as well as helping the club win the DFB-Pokal and reach the Europa League final.
Cristian Romero comparison and role models
It is easy to understand why Hincapie’s brother drew parallels between his sibling and Spurs defender Romero, who has developed a reputation for his ill-discipline. Since arriving in Germany four years ago, Hincapie has been suspended on 10 occasions, picking up nine yellows and one red card across 45 games last term.
Spurs star Romero was once branded “absolutely mad” by Gary Neville after being booked for a reckless challenge on Callum Wilson during a win over Newcastle in December 2023. "He's mad, him, honestly," Neville told Sky Sports. "Absolutely mad. I think it's a red card at first look. He's crazy, Romero. He always has to tackle. Slowing players down doesn't come into his head."
However, two other players were Hincapie’s role models. During his early years in Ecuador, he studied videos of Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos and Barcelona legend Carles Puyol.
"I watched the videos so I wouldn't get bored on the bus, and that's when I realised that I really liked Puyol,” Hincapie told Scouted Football, as reported by Bundesliga.com. “He had a special way of playing, perhaps less technical than Ramos, but he was a leader and captain. One of the best centre-backs I've ever seen."
Piero Hincapie’s family values
Hincapie has stressed the importance of his family, who provided guidance as he moved from Ecuador to Argentina. He then weighed up his decision to join Leverkusen amid interest from several clubs, with his eldest brother also joining him in Germany.
"I had different offers from Europe and I considered them all carefully. I spoke to my family, to myself, to God – and I opted for Bayer 04,” Hincapie explained to Leverkusen’s club website. “I have great respect for the country and the language and my family had always emphasised that a lot of Latinos play here – and some of them for many years. That was an important reason. Because if they stay here for a long time then they must feel at home."
The defender has previously praised his parents for his and his siblings’ upbringing. However, Hincapie quickly recognised the financial responsibility that came with being a top-flight footballer.
"I'm suddenly earning much more money for our circumstances,” Hincapie admitted. “That's not so important to me because I just want to play football. But now I have the chance to help my family.
“Of course, I allow myself something as well but the most important thing for me is to be able to give something back to my parents and everybody else and that I can ensure that they have a comfortable life. My nanna's income isn't enough to live on. When everybody is looked after then I can also allow myself a couple of expensive things.”