João Cancelo has officially joined FC Barcelona on a permanent transfer, signing a contract that will keep him at the club until June 30, 2029. The Portuguese full-back arrives from Al Hilal, marking a significant addition to the squad.

Return to Barcelona

Cancelo initially joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester City for the 2023/24 season, where he made a notable impact under coach Xavi Hernández. During his first season, he played 42 matches, scoring four goals and providing five assists. After a stint at Al Hilal, he returned to Barcelona on loan in January 2026, quickly establishing himself as a key player for coach Hansi Flick. In this second spell, he made 23 appearances, contributing two goals and four assists, primarily playing as a left-back.

A Journey Through Major Clubs

Born on May 27, 1994, Cancelo began his professional career at Benfica, achieving success by winning the league, cup, league cup, and super cup. He moved to Valencia in the summer of 2015, where he made 91 appearances before transitioning to Italy. His career in Serie A included stints at Inter Milan and Juventus before joining Manchester City in the summer of 2019. Cancelo spent three and a half seasons with City, which included two loan spells, one at Bayern Munich and the other at Barcelona.

As a seasoned international, Cancelo has been a regular member of the Portuguese national team since his debut on September 1, 2016. He has accumulated 73 caps and was part of the squad that won the Nations League in 2018/19. Additionally, he has represented Portugal in the last two World Cups and the most recent European Championships. With his permanent signing, Cancelo is set to continue showcasing his talents at Barcelona, where Hansi Flick is expected to leverage his attacking capabilities.