Confirmed: Joao Cancelo joins Al Hilal

Joao Cancelo has signed a long-term contract to relocate to Al Hilal. The Portuguese international won the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup in each of his first two seasons at City. This exactly after joining from Juventus in the summer of 2019.

Al-Hilal has agreed to pay €35 million to acquire Joao Cancelo from Manchester City amid Barcelona’s interest. In the January transfer window, he made 26 appearances in the 2022–2023 season before going on loan to Bayern Munich. After that, the 30-year-old played for Barcelona on loan in Spain for the whole 2023–2024 season.

Cancelo played 154 games for City in all, scoring nine goals for Pep Guardiola’s team. He is currently moving on to the Saudi Pro League to take on new challenges. Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, added: “I would like to thank Joao for his contribution during a remarkable period at City.

“He made a big impact in title-winning campaigns and was a huge influence on the pitch. I would also like to give him my best wishes for the future and the rest of his career.”

Cancelo’s combination of exceptional attack performances and dependable defense helped him make a significant impression on English football. The “trivela,” or curling pass he makes with the outside of his right foot, that has become his signature has contributed to his effectiveness on the left wing.

He also made several spectacular assists, the most notable of which went to Raheem Sterling in a 3-0 victory over Everton and Bernardo Silva in a Manchester derby victory at Old Trafford via a more traditional cross. Cancelo made 43 appearances in the 2020/21 season and 52 appearances in the 2021/22 season when they won the Premier League titles as well as the first half of our historic Treble season before moving on loan to Bayern.

He also started the 2021 Carabao Cup final when City beat Tottenham 1-0 at Wembley.  Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Joao the best of luck with the next stage of his career.