On his official Instagram account, Joao Cancelo has posted a farewell video confirming his departure from Manchester City.
Cancelo, who had a falling out with City manager Pep Guardiola over his lack of playing time, bid goodbye to the team with a highlights reel of his time at the Etihad Stadium. He will now join Bayern Munich on loan for the remainder of the season.
Accompanying clips of some of his highlights from his three-and-a-half years at City, Cancelo wrote: “Once a Cityzen, always a Cityzen. Thank-you.”
The post was liked by more than 75,000 people, including Cancelo’s City team-mate Aymeric Laporte.
Cancelo will join Bayern for the remainder of the season, with the Bundesliga club having the option to buy the Portugal international for a fee of around £61m when the loan agreement comes to an end.
Bayern have completed the agreement to sign João Cancelo, here we go! Deal set to be completed on loan plus €70m buy option clause 🚨🔴 #FCBayern
Cancelo told Pep Guardiola that he wanted to leave.
Medical tests later tonight.
Boarding completed – Munich ✈️ @TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/TiQMyMWhwq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023
City are unlikely to buy anyone to replace Cancelo, with Guardiola having enough cover for both full-back positions in Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Laporte and Sergio Gomez.
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The Portuguese defender’s move comes as something of a shock following his back-to-back appearances in the Premier League Team of the Year.
Cancelo had hugely impressed since arriving in 2019 but it seems a complete breakdown in relations with Guardiola has left him with no option but to leave.
Cancelo, who featured 52 times in all competitions for the Blues last season, has played the full 90 minutes just once since the World Cup. He was also an unused substitute in four of their last seven outings in all competitions.
It is understood a clash over playing time is subsequently the straw to break the camel’s back and led to the 28-year-old’s exit.
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