Official: Barcelona sign Joao Cancelo on loan; shirt number confirmed

FC Barcelona have officially confirmed the return of Joao Cancelo, with the Portuguese defender joining the club on loan from Al Hilal until the end of the current season.

The move marks a familiar reunion, bringing back a player who already knows the environment, the demands, and the expectations of playing at the Spotify Camp Nou.

After weeks of speculation surrounding Barcelona’s search for defensive reinforcement, the club moved to secure Cancelo’s services once again.

In an official announcement released by the club, Barcelona confirmed the deal and welcomed the defender back to Catalonia.

“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,” read a statement from the club.

The signing was formalised on Tuesday at the club’s offices, with several key figures present to mark the occasion.

https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_es/status/2011102220495040521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

President Joan Laporta attended the ceremony alongside first vice-president Rafael Yuste, board member Joan Soler, and Director of the Football Area, Deco.

Notably, this is not Cancelo’s first spell at Barcelona , as the full-back previously wore the Blaugrana shirt during the 2023/24 season, when he arrived on loan from Manchester City.

Back then, Cancelo featured in 42 matches across all competitions, becoming a regular presence in the starting XI and offering consistency at both right-back and left-back.

Lastly, Barcelona have confirmed that Cancelo will once again wear the number ‘2’ shirt.

The number became available after Pau Cubarsi switched to the number ‘5’, which was vacated by Inigo Martinez during the summer.