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Topics: Joao Cancelo, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola
Josh Lawless
Topics: Joao Cancelo, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola
Joao Cancelo will be unable to wear his beloved shirt number at Bayern Munich after joining on loan from Manchester City.
City are allowing the Portugal international to leave after he grew unhappy with a lack of game-time after returning from the World Cup.
Cancelo is believed to have had a heated bust-up with Pep Guardiola after being told he was not starting in the FA Cup clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
City do not keep unhappy players around and gave the switch to Bayern the green light after it was brought to the table by Cancelo and agent Jorge Mendes.
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City have confirmed Cancelo's departure, which also includes a £61 million option to buy. There was plenty of intrigue as to what shirt number he would wear at the Allianz Arena.
READ MORE: Transfer deadline day LIVE: Latest news and rumours ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline.
Cancelo first wore the No.27 at City before taking on the No.7 shirt in the summer following the departure of Raheem Sterling to Chelsea.
It caused a serious star given it is not traditionally a number for a defender, but Cancelo explained it was a tribute to his late mother, who died in a car crash in 2013 when he was 18.
“Seven was my mum's favourite number and it was the day she was born: 7 February," he said, as per The Mirror.
"I decided to pick that number because it is meaningful for me and for my mum. I hope I can represent her with this number as she is one of the most important people in my life.”
At Bayern, Serge Gnabry wears No.7, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer took No.27 after joining from Borussia Monchengladbach following Manuel Neuer's injury.
His previous numbers, two and twenty, are occupied by Dayot Upamecano and Bouna Sarr respectively. Instead, Cancelo will wear the No.22 shirt at Bayern, the Bavarians have confirmed.
Although still contracted to City in 2027, he would still be eligible to play against his parent club if the two sides are drawn against one another in this season's Champions League.
On Instagram, he reacted to his exit by writing: "Once a Cityzen, always a Cityzen. Thank you. #mommyblessme"