OFFICIAL: Joao Cancelo returns on loan to FC Barcelona

Joao Cancelo is now an FC Barcelona player. The 31-year-old defender returns to the Blaugrana team on loan until next June 30, with no mandatory purchase option and with Al Hilal assuming most of his salary.

The agreement was finalized mid-last week, but Joan Laporta preferred to wait for the club to return from Arabia after competing in the Spanish Super Cup to formally announce Barça's first signing of 2026.

In this regard, Cancelo will sign his contract this Tuesday in **an event scheduled for 1:00 PM** in the office of the Barça president. Subsequently, there will be a brief press conference once all legal procedures are completed.

"Joao Cancelo is already in Barcelona and has passed his medical tests. This Tuesday, the official signing," reads the Barça statement. The player from Barreiro landed on Monday afternoon in the Catalan capital and passed his medical examination without any issues.

When will Joao Cancelo debut for Barcelona?

After their triumph in the Spanish Super Cup, the Barça squad will return to work this Tuesday at 11:00 AM at the Ciutat Esportiva, with their minds already set on the Copa del Rey round of 16 clash against Racing de Santander (Thursday, 9:00 PM)

In that training session, Cancelo will be introduced to his teammates, with whom he coincided for the most part during the 23/24 season, as well as the coaching staff led by Hansi Flick. The German will have Joao available for Wednesday's session, at the same time, prior to the cup match.

Cancelo and Koundé celebrating a goal

Understanding that the Portuguese player has not played since December 22nd with Al Hilal and played very little for coach Simone Inzaghi in the first half of the season, it is likely that the full-back will have to do specific work in the coming days to integrate into the group's dynamic.

LaLiga, which has already validated the long-term injury of Andreas Christensen, could enable his registration in time for Cancelo to be called up for matchday 20, next Sunday against Real Sociedad at Anoeta (9:00 PM).

However, the decision on when the 31-year-old defender will debut will be up to Flick. **The footballer scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists in 6 matches (469 minutes)** with Al Hilal between August and December, when he was left out of the Saudi team's official squad for the local league.

Barça's reasons for betting on Cancelo's return

Although Barça's priority was to sign a center-back in January, once Andreas Christensen's serious injury was confirmed, the board did not find a 'low cost' alternative that fit the team's needs in the winter market.

Joao Cancelo, on the other hand, **agreed to readjust his salary** and turned down a better offer from **Inter Milan** to return to Barcelona. The operation **will cost the Catalan club around 4 million euros**, where the Portuguese player already played 42 official matches in 23/24, contributing 4 goals and 5 assists under Xavi Hernández.

The Portuguese international provides a reliable replacement for Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde, thanks to his ability to play on both sides and his notable physical deployment as a wing-back.

Koundé has shown clear signs of exhaustion in recent weeks (Vinicius easily got past him in the Super Cup final) and, after Héctor Fort's departure to Elche, Eric García became his substituteHowever, the one from Martorell has taken a step forward in midfield, whether as a pivot or a first center-back. Balde, for his part, also needs to pace himself thinking about the final stretch of the season and, with **Gerard Martín** more settled in the center, he will also need a Joao to cover his back.

Thus, there was consensus between Hansi Flick and Deco to close Cancelo's return, a player with extensive European and LaLiga experience (he also played three seasons with Valencia) who is very identified with the club and the Barça fans. Although he will have to work hard to establish himself in Flick's system, he will be a valuable piece in the final stretch of the season.