João Cancelo rejoins Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal
Portugal defender João Cancelo has returned to Barcelona after the Spanish champions secured the 31-year-old on loan from Saudi club Al Hilal for the remainder of the season.
Cancelo previously spent a year at Barcelona on loan from Manchester City in 2023, featuring in 32 LaLiga matches before moving to Al Hilal in August 2024.
“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,” the club announced on Tuesday.
The full-back endured more than two months out last year due to hamstring injuries but returned in time for the Club World Cup, playing a key role with an assist as Al Hilal eliminated Manchester City 4-3 in the round of 16.
Cancelo, who was part of Portugal’s Nations League-winning squad in 2018-19, scored two goals and provided two assists during his nation’s successful campaign to qualify for this year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
LaLiga leaders Barcelona face Racing in a Copa del Rey clash on Thursday, with Cancelo expected to bolster their defense.
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