João Cancelo joins FC Barcelona on permanent deal until 2029

FC Barcelona has officially completed the permanent signing of Portuguese defender João Cancelo. After two previous loan spells with the club, the 32-year-old joins as a free agent following the mutual termination of his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Cancelo has signed a contract that runs until June 30, 2029.

Cancelo's return follows a strong performance during the latter half of the previous season under manager Hansi Flick, where he primarily played as a left-back. The versatile defender is expected to provide tactical flexibility, as he is capable of playing on both flanks. His arrival is part of a significant summer squad overhaul that includes other high-profile signings such as Rodri, Anthony Gordon, and Karim Adeyemi.

While the deal is finalized, the club has faced administrative hurdles regarding his registration for La Liga due to pending documentation from Al-Hilal. Additionally, a planned official presentation during the Joan Gamper Trophy was briefly disrupted by these bureaucratic delays, causing reported frustration for the player before the matter was resolved.