Joao Cancelo has left Manchester City to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The Portuguese defender has signed for a reported £21.2million fee after losing his place in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Cancelo, 30, signed for City from Juventus in 2019 for a £60m and became a key player for the Citizens in the following years.
He was integral in City clinching the Premier League during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, operating as a versatile full-back on both sides.
But after a disagreement with Guardiola he was loaned out to Bayern Munich in January 2023, before spending the 2023-24 campaign at Barcelona.
Guardiola had suggested Cancelo still had a future at the Etihad but played no part in their opening two Premier League games against Chelsea and Ipswich.
Joao Cancelo has completed a permanent move to Al Hilal ✍️
Thank you for everything, Joao! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/yWGsBmcj6I
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 27, 2024
He told the club’s website: “I would like to wish everyone at City continued success in the future,” Cancelo told City’s official website.
“I had many very special moments during my time here at this great club. I would like to thank my team-mates, the coaches, all the staff at City and the fans for everything during my time here.”
Overall, Cancelo made 154 appearances for the Citizens, scoring nine goals.
He leaves Manchester with three Premier League titles to his name, as well as a Champions League medal for the part he played in their Treble-winning campaign in 2022-23 prior to his loan to Bayern.
🏆 3x Premier League
🏆 1x UEFA Champions League
🏆 1x FA Cup
🏆 2x Carabao Cup
🥇 1x FIFPro World XI
🥇 2x PFA Team of the Year pic.twitter.com/LVcMAxvvR5— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 27, 2024
