Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo has completed a transfer from Premier League champions Manchester City to Saudi club Al-Hilal, as confirmed by both clubs on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old, who spent the last season on loan at Barcelona, has agreed to a three-year contract with the reigning Saudi Pro League champions.
Cancelo joined Manchester City in 2019 from Juventus and was a pivotal player for the club during his first three seasons.
However, reports suggest he fell out with manager Pep Guardiola over limited playing time midway through the 2022-23 season, leading to a loan move to Bayern Munich for the remainder of that campaign.
During his time at Manchester City, Cancelo secured three Premier League titles, as well as FA Cup and League Cup victories. He also made six appearances in City’s first-ever Champions League-winning campaign in 2022-23.
Cancelo is the first major signing for Al-Hilal in this transfer window and joins a star-studded lineup under coach Jorge Jesus, which includes Brazilian superstar Neymar, and former Premier League players Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
He has not featured in a game since Portugal’s penalty shootout defeat to France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals last month.
