DONE DEAL: Barcelona sign Joao Cancelo on loan from Al-Hilal until the end of the season

DONE DEAL:

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Joao Cancelo on loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

The Portuguese defender left the Blaugrana 18 months ago after a loan spell from Manchester City and has been keen to leave Al-Hilal since the start of the January transfer window.

In an official announcement released by the club on Tuesday afternoon, the La Liga giants confirmed the deal and welcomed the defender back to the club.

"Now it’s official: Joao Cancelo is once again a Barca 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. He will wear the number 2 shirt," a club statement read.

"The signing ceremony took place this Tuesday at the club’s offices and was attended by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, first vice-president Rafael Yuste, board member Joan Soler, and Director of the Football Area Anderson Luis de Souza (Deco) along with the player’s family."

Barcelona have activated the emergency injury rule in order to use 80% of Andreas Christensen’s salary limit space on a replacement, which will come in the form of Cancelo.

LaLiga leaders Barcelona are away to Racing in a Copa del Rey match on Thursday and Cancelo could make his debut under manager Hansi Flick who will be keen to bolster his defence.

Barcelona have confirmed that Cancelo will once again wear the number 2 shirt after Pau Cubarsi switched to the number 5.