Joao Cancelo has joined Bayern Munich on loan from Manchester City. - © FC Bayern München

bundesliga

Bayern Munich sign Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo on loan

31.01.2023

Bayern Munich have completed the loan signing of Manchester City and Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo on a deal through to the end of the 2022/23 season, with an option to buy.

Cancelo, 28, can play on both sides of the defence and will provide competition for the likes of Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies, as well as additional cover for the sidelined Lucas Hernandez and Noussair Mazraoui.

“We’re very happy that Joao Cancelo will now play for Bayern. We’ve signed him on loan now and have the possibility of signing him permanently in the summer," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. "Joao is a player we’ve been thinking about for a while now because we very much appreciate his qualities. He’s the optimal fit in our system with his attacking style of play and dynamism, and his mentality and experience fit very well in our team. I’m convinced Joao will help us in the coming weeks and months where we want to win titles.”

Cancelo has made 26 competitive appearances for Manchester City in 2023/23, producing two goals and five assists. He has won two English Premier League titles since joining Pep Guardiola's team in 2019, adding to the Serie A crown he lifted at the end of his final season with Juventus. The 41-time Portugal international, who started three of his country's five games at the 2022 World Cup, has also represented Valencia, Inter Milan and Benfica at senior level.

“Bayern is a great club, one of the best in the world, and it’s enormous motivation for me to now play alongside these extraordinary players in a team," said Cancelo, who will wear the No.22 and could make his Bayern debut as soon as Wednesday's DFB Cup last-16 meeting with Mainz. "I know that this club, this team lives for titles and wins titles every year. I’m also driven by the hunger for success. I‘ll give my best for Bayern.”