Leverkusen sign Hincapie to contract extension: "On par with Messi and Salah." | OneFootball

Linked with a move away from the club this past summer, Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie has committed himself to defending league and cup champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen with a contract extension. The 22-year-old signed new working papers which will ideally keep him suiting up for Germany's red company team through 2029.

Since joining Leverkusen as a 19-year-old, Hincapie has made 141 appearances across all competitions for "die Werkself". The 43-times-capped international cost Bayer a reported €6-8 million at the time. The young talent - often linked with a move to the Premiership - is worth an estimated €40 million today.

“Piero Hincapie joined us in 2021 as a 19-year-old talent." B04 managing director Simon Rolfes noted in a club statement. "But, even then, you could see how confident he is in his abilities. Today, Piero is in the league of world-class professionals like Lionel Messi or Mo Salah. He has earned respect worldwide."

“This signature is more than just the signing of a professional contract,” the player himself added, ”Bayer 04 Leverkusen has become like a family to me after three-and a half years. The club and the fans are something special and we have a team that showed last season what is possible when you stick together unconditionally. I'm really happy with chance to continue shaping the future of this club.”

Hincapie's extension counts as a significant coup for Rolfes and his administrative team. With German defender Jonathan Tah almost certain to depart this summer, Leverkusen have ensured that another high-value player will remain as a pillar in the defensive corps.