Joao Cancelo has released a farewell video on his official Instagram account, confirming his exit from Manchester City shortly before the club could.
Cancelo, who has joined Bayern Munich on loan for the rest of the season after a fall-out with City boss Pep Guardiola over his lack of playing time, said goodbye to the club with a highlights reel of his time at the Etihad Stadium.
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 has joined Bayern for the remainder of the season, with the Bundesliga club having the option to buy the Portugal international for a fee of around £61million when the loan agreement comes to an end.
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. Releasing a short statement confirming the move, City's official Twitter account posted: "Joao Cancelo has joined Bayern Munich on loan until the end of the season."
Responding to the video on his Instagram account. Cancelo refused to confirm that the post means his exit is a permanent one. He said: "I know which video you're talking about. It might have sounded like a farewell but it wasn't meant to be. We have to see what the next five months will bring...I was enjoying my time at #mcfc and am still under contract."
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.
He was hauled off at half-time during the 1-0 win over Chelsea on January 5 and given a rollicking by Guardiola. The Catalan had similarly been left furious with Cancelo in early November, ahead of the World Cup, when he was sent off against Fulham.
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.
Cancelo's fellow Premier League stars have replied to his post, with Bruno Fernandes posting: "On another level."
Zinchenko added "Crack" with a flame emoji. While City team-mate posted a thumbs up and a Blue heart.
