MADRID, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona is on the verge of signing defender Joao Cancelo from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, after the La Liga leaders confirmed on Monday that the Portuguese had passed a medical.

"Joao Cancelo arrived in Barcelona at lunchtime on Monday. The Portuguese full back, still an Al-Hilal player, passed the relevant medical and physical tests at Barcelona Hospital with the signing to make him a blaugrana to come on Tuesday," informed the club's official website.

The newly crowned Spanish Super Cup winners said Cancelo would sign his contract at "1pm CET, at the office of the FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta," before then speaking to the press.

Cancelo, 31, returns to Barcelona after having made 42 appearances for the club during a loan spell from Manchester City in the 2023-24 season. He is expected to provide cover at both left and right back. ■