João Cancelo has officially returned to FC Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal Saudi FC until the end of the season, the club confirmed on their official website.
The Portuguese right-back will wear the number 2 shirt.
The signing ceremony was held at the club’s offices, attended by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, first vice-president Rafael Yuste, board member Joan Soler, Director of the Football Area Anderson Luis de Souza (Deco), and Cancelo’s family.
Cancelo expressed his excitement about the move, stating:
“I didn’t think twice about coming back when the chance came up. Representing this Club is an honour, it’s the best in the world. What I feel for this club is very special.”
He added his ambitions for this spell at Barça:
“I want to enjoy this team and help however I can. I didn’t win a trophy in my first spell and that’s what I want now. It will be a unique feeling to play at the Spotify Camp Nou. I have been waiting for so long. I might cry, I probably will, because it’s something I wanted for a long time.”
This marks Cancelo’s second spell with Barcelona. During his first loan in the 2023/24 season, he featured in 42 matches across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing five assists. Afterward, he moved to Al Hilal, where he played 45 matches over a season and a half.
Before joining Barça, Cancelo enjoyed stints with Benfica, Valencia, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, building a strong career across Europe.