Joao Cancelo has officially joined Barcelona on loan from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal for the rest of the season, Afrosport reports.
The 31-year-old Portuguese full-back previously spent a year at Barcelona after joining on loan from Manchester City in 2023.
He appeared in 32 La Liga matches and another 10 in the UEFA Champions League, scoring a total of four goals and providing five assists.
Cancelo departed Man City to join Al Hilal in August 2024, but was hit by two hamstring injuries, which sidelined him for more than two months.
He however returned in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where he played a key part with an assist when Al Hilal knocked out Man City with a 4-3 extra time win in the round of 16.
“FC Barcelona and Al-Hilal Saudi FC have reached an agreement for the loan of the Portuguese full-back until the end of the season. He will wear the number two shirt,” read a club statement.
There are places you never forget.
Welcome back to Barça, João 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/uoA7Gr0Pj9— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 13, 2026
Barcelona are fresh off winning the Spanish Super Cup after defeating fierce rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in Sunday’s final in Jeddah. They will face Racing Santander away from home in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday.
