Cancelo makes 'dream' Barca move after Al-Hilal exit

What the report says

Joao Cancelo has returned to Barcelona on a permanent transfer after his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal was ended by mutual consent, according to BBC Sport Football. The Portugal full-back, 32, becomes a free agent this summer and has now signed a three-year deal at the Camp Nou. It is his third spell with the Spanish club, but the first time he has joined them on a permanent basis.

BBC Sport reports that Cancelo spent last season on loan at Barcelona, making 23 appearances and helping the team win the La Liga title. He had previously moved from Manchester City to Al-Hilal in 2024 on a three-year contract, but his time there ended before he completed the deal. Cancelo told the club he feels he is where he wants to be and described the move as a dream, while promising to give everything for Barcelona.

The defender’s career has taken him through several major European clubs, including Valencia, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City and Bayern Munich, often via loan spells or permanent transfers. His return adds another experienced option to Hansi Flick’s squad as Barcelona continue to shape their team during the summer window. More broadly, the move underlines the club’s strategy of bringing back familiar players after a successful loan period.