Manchester City have confirmed the exit of Joao Cancelo on loan to Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season.
The 28-year-old has been a key figure for Pep Guardiola's side in recent seasons, and started 16 of their 20 Premier League games so far in 2022-23.
However, he fell out of favour with Guardiola after the World Cup break, and reports emerged earlier this week that he was closing in on a shock exit from the Etihad Stadium.
There has been speculation that Cancelo took issue with his lack of game time in recent weeks, with his omission from Friday's FA Cup tie with Arsenal thought to be the final straw and reportedly leading to a training ground bust-up with Guardiola.
The Portugal international's departure has now been confirmed, with his loan deal including an option for Bayern to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
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Speaking to Bayern Munich's official website, Cancelo said: "FC 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.
"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 FC Bayern."
Bayern board member Hasan Salihamidzic added: "We're very happy that Joao Cancelo will now play for FC Bayern.
"We've signed him on loan now and have the possibility of signing him permanently in the summer. 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."
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The option-to-buy clause in the contract is thought to be worth around €70m (£61.5m).
Cancelo leaves Man City having played 154 times for the club across all competitions, including 52 times last season to help Guardiola's men to another Premier League title.
The full-back also picked up an EFL Cup winners' medal during his time at the Etihad, while he was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for both 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Guardiola has since favoured Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake in his full-back positions, though, with Cancelo playing no part at all in five of Man City's 10 matches since returning from the World Cup break.
Cancelo could make his debut for Bayern when they take on Mainz in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night, looking to end a run of three straight draws since returning to action.
Barney Corkhill
