Joao Cancelo seals Barcelona reunion with contract through 2029

Joao Cancelo has completed his return to Barcelona on a permanent deal running until the summer of 2029, ending one of the most closely followed stories of this transfer window and beginning a third spell with the Catalan club.

The 32-year-old Portugal full-back left Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal after terminating a contract that had been due to run until 2027. He has joined Barcelona as a free agent and becomes the club’s fifth signing of the summer, following Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisio and Rodri.

Cancelo is due to sign the contract at president Joan Laporta’s office on Thursday. His agent Jorge Mendes, sporting vice-president Rafa Yuste, sporting director Deco and football coordinator Bojan Krkic are expected to attend the formal signing.

Barcelona will then present Cancelo to the media at 13:45 local time.

The move represents the fulfilment of a long-standing wish for the player, who was determined to return to Camp Nou and did not seriously consider alternative offers. Cancelo impressed during the second half of last season under manager Hansi Flick, operating primarily at left-back.

He made 23 appearances across La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey during that period and established himself as an important member of Flick’s side.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Cancelo arrived in Barcelona last Monday, before new team-mate Rodri, who signed a contract until 2030 and was presented on Tuesday. The final details of Cancelo’s transfer were completed after an agreement had been reached on Sunday.

The Portugal international had become surplus to requirements under Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi, allowing Barcelona to complete the deal without paying a transfer fee.

Cancelo was already present at Camp Nou last Wednesday for the club’s squad presentation ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Egyptian side Al Ahly. He was wearing the number two shirt in the tunnel and was eager to take part in the event.

However, he was not allowed to walk on to the pitch because the formal procedures for his transfer had not been completed. Barcelona therefore postponed his official presentation until Thursday, when the administrative arrangements were expected to be finalised.

The defender will wear the number two shirt again, the same number he used during his previous spell at the club. His return also reunites him with Rodri, his former Manchester City team-mate, after the pair played together for three and a half years.

Cancelo first joined Barcelona during the 2023-24 season on loan from Manchester City. He worked under then-manager Xavi Hernandez before moving to Al Hilal in a deal worth 25m euros.

His new agreement marks a permanent return to Barcelona and gives him the opportunity to continue his partnership with Flick after an encouraging contribution last season.