Joao Cancelo completes emotional Barcelona homecoming after Al Hilal contract ends

Joao Cancelo has returned to Barcelona on a free transfer after ending his contract with Al Hilal, completing his long-awaited permanent move back to the Catalan club.

The Portugal international arrived in Barcelona on Wednesday afternoon to finalise the agreement, which will keep him at the club until June 2029. His previous contract with Al Hilal had one season remaining, but the two parties agreed to terminate it rather than pursue a transfer fee.

Cancelo posted a picture from inside the aircraft before leaving Saudi Arabia for Barcelona. Alongside the image, he wrote: “I’m back home” – a short message reflecting both his destination and his strong desire to return to the club.

The 31-year-old has already spent time at Barcelona on loan. He joined from Manchester City for the 2023-24 season under Xavi Hernandez, then returned for the 2025-26 campaign after moving on loan from Al Hilal in January. His second spell came under Hansi Flick, and his wish to remain at the club has now been fulfilled on a permanent basis.

Al Hilal had initially sought a fee of €10m for Cancelo’s departure. However, the defender was able to persuade the Saudi club to release him after falling outside Simone Inzaghi’s plans. Al Hilal were also required to reduce the number of foreign players in their squad in line with Saudi league regulations.

Cancelo said he was delighted to have secured the move and revealed that he had done everything possible to make the return happen. He was even prepared to accept a reduction in salary to achieve his objective.

The Portuguese defender said he had made his position clear to Barcelona sporting director Deco, explaining that his choices were straightforward: “Either move to Barcelona or stay at Al Hilal without regular playing time.”

He described Barcelona as an exceptional club and said he wanted to help the team compete for and win as many trophies as possible as the club continues to assemble a strong squad for the new season.

Cancelo’s versatility is expected to provide Flick with another option in defence. He can operate at both right-back and left-back, giving the Barcelona manager greater flexibility when selecting his team.

The player also regards this return as different from his previous spells at the club. On those occasions he was a loan player; this time he is joining Barcelona under a contract lasting until June 2029. The agreement represents three seasons with the Catalan side, according to the source article.

A formal presentation is not expected because Cancelo is already familiar with Barcelona and has previously worn the club’s shirt. Nevertheless, his arrival carries added significance. After his first period with the team ended, the defender continued to pursue a return to the club he regards as home.

Cancelo’s arrival therefore closes a prolonged period of uncertainty over his future and gives Barcelona a player who knows the club, the league and Flick’s way of working. His permanent return follows the conclusion of his Al Hilal spell and marks a new chapter in his career at Camp Nou.