Portuguese international João Cancelo has reached an agreement to join the Saudi Pro League for an initial transfer fee of £21 million ($28 million). The 30-year-old defender is reportedly finalizing a contract that would see him earning approximately £15 million per year.
Cancelo’s move marks the end of a period of uncertainty regarding his future, having not played for Manchester City for the last 18 months. After spending time on loan at both Bayern Munich and Barcelona,
Cancelo returned to Manchester City for preseason training this summer. However, he was noticeably absent from the team’s lineup for the first two Premier League matches of the season, against Chelsea and Ipswich.
Cancelo’s impending departure from Manchester City comes after an impressive tenure where he made over 150 appearances and contributed significantly to the club’s success, helping them to secure three Premier League titles.
His standout performances earned him a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for two consecutive seasons, in 2021 and 2022.
The last time Cancelo played for City was in January 2023, just before he made a surprising loan move to Bayern Munich. The German giants initially expressed interest in making the transfer permanent, but ultimately decided against it. This led to another loan deal for Cancelo, this time to Barcelona for the 2023-24 season.
Despite his success at City, Cancelo’s relationship with the club appeared to be on uncertain ground, and his exclusion from recent matchday squads hinted that his time in Manchester was coming to an end. His move to the Saudi Pro League represents a significant shift in his career trajectory, as he transitions from European competitions to one of the rapidly growing leagues in the Middle East.
The transfer to the Saudi Pro League also underscores the growing trend of top European players moving to the Middle East for lucrative deals. With his arrival, Cancelo joins a host of international stars who have recently signed with clubs in the region, highlighting the league’s ambition to attract high-profile talent and increase its global presence.
Cancelo’s exit from Manchester City closes a chapter in his career that included both triumphs and challenges. While he was an integral part of the team’s domestic success, his loan spells away from the club suggested a search for a new environment and opportunities.
The move to Saudi Arabia offers Cancelo a fresh start and a new challenge, as he brings his experience and skills to a different stage.
