Thrown Away By Guardiola, Joao Cancelo Officially Leaves Manchester City

JAKARTA - The transfer market ahead of its closing on Friday, August 30, 2024, is growing. Joao Cancelo officially left Manchester City to join Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

Joao Cancelo left Etihad for a 21 million transfer fee. He will receive a salary of 12 million pounds per year at Al Hilal.

Cancelo has been dumped by Pep Guardiola since January 2023 shortly after the two clashed.

He has then been loaned to Bayern Munich and Barcelona since Guardiola no longer played.

However, now his football career is finding a new way. He officially signed a contract with Al Hilal until 2027.

In addition, the 30-year-old full-back received a large salary of 12.63 million pounds per year or 243,000 pounds per week.

"I want to wish everyone in City to continue to achieve success in the future. I have had many very special moments while at this great club."

"I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, all staff at City, and fans for everything while I'm here," Cancelo said in his farewells.

Manchester City's Football Director, Txiki Begiristain, also welcomed Cancelo's farewell.

"I would like to thank Joao for his contribution during the extraordinary period at City."

"He had a big impact on the title race campaign and had a big influence on the pitch."

"I also want to give my best wishes for the future and his next career," said Begiristain.

Joao Cancelo moved to Etihad in 2019 when he left Juventus. In his first two seasons, he won the English League title and Carabao Cup twice.

He made 154 appearances for Manchester City and scored nine goals and contributed 21 assists.

Last season, when he was loaned to Barcelona, he appeared 32 times in La Liga and scored two goals.

Cancelo will join a number of top players who moved to Al Hilal.

He has new team-mates including Neymar, Aleksandr Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Malcom, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milikivic-Savic.