Bayer Leverkusen sign Ecuador teenager Piero Hincapie

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Ecuador international defender Piero Hincapie on a five-year deal.

The 19-year-old makes the switch from Argentine club CA Talleres, after impressing at this summer's CONMEBOL Copa America. He has been assigned the No.33 shirt.

"We're very happy to have acquired a young, but confident central defender with experience at international level," commented Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.

"We've had our eye on him for a while. His performances against absolute world-class players at the Copa America confirmed to us what an exciting future he has. He suits Leverkusen, and we're sure he'll be an important player for us."

Hincapie makes the switch to the BayArena, having made 33 competitive appearances for Talleres and won five senior international caps.

The 6'0" left-footed defender is set to become the fourth Ecuadorian to play in the Bundesliga, after Felix Borja (Mainz, 2009/10), Andersson Ordonez (Eintracht Frankfurt, 2016/17) and Augsburg midfielder Carlos Gruezo.

"It feels fantastic to have a club like Leverkusen go to such great lengths to get me," Hincapie told his new employer's website.

"The Bundesliga and Bayer have a fantastic reputation in my homeland, and in South America as a whole. It's fantastic to now be here. I want to improve as a footballer and help the team."

About the clubs

Bayer Leverkusen

BayArena