Barcelona Bring Joao Cancelo Back on Loan from Al-Hilal

Portuguese full-back returns to Camp Nou after 18 months as club uses emergency injury rule to strengthen defence

Barcelona have officially confirmed the return of Joao Cancelo, completing a loan deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal until the end of the season.

The Portuguese defender rejoins the Catalan giants 18 months after his previous spell at the club, which came during a loan from Manchester City. Cancelo had been pushing for a move away from Al-Hilal since the January transfer window opened, with Barcelona emerging as his preferred destination.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the La Liga leaders announced that an agreement had been reached and confirmed that Cancelo will once again wear the number two shirt.

“Now it’s official: Joao Cancelo is once again a Barça player. 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,” the club said. “He will wear the number two shirt.”

Barcelona also confirmed that the signing was made possible through LaLiga’s emergency injury rule, allowing the club to use 80 per cent of the salary space created by Andreas Christensen’s injury to register Cancelo as a replacement.

The formal signing ceremony took place at Barcelona’s offices on Tuesday and was attended by club president Joan Laporta, vice-president Rafael Yuste, board member Joan Soler and sporting director Deco, alongside Cancelo’s family.

Now back under the Barcelona banner, Cancelo could make an immediate impact. The Catalans travel to face Racing on Thursday in the Copa del Rey, and new head coach Hansi Flick is expected to welcome the defender as he looks to reinforce his back line during a demanding phase of the season.

Barcelona also confirmed that Cancelo will reclaim the number two jersey following Pau Cubarsí’s recent switch to the number five shirt, marking another familiar chapter in the defender’s Camp Nou career.