Barcelona confirm their new sporting director

The reigning LaLiga champions have formally announced the appointment of Deco.

Barcelona have appointed former Portugal international Deco as their new sporting director. They have signed a three-year deal. This comes after Jordi Cruyff left his role earlier this year to pursue new challenges.

Deco will set Barcelona’s sporting philosophy and put together a squad alongside the club’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez.

The Brazilian-born 45-year-old will also be head of the football section. He takes over the director of football position from Mateu Alemany, whose duties end after the transfer window.

This summer, Deco has been working with Alemany and Xavi on recruitment. His knowledge and contacts in South American football, a market Barcelona aim to exploit, have already proven to be invaluable.

In fact, Deco played a key role in the club’s signing of Vitor Roque, the 18-year-old striker who will leave Athletico Paranaense for Barca in January.

As part of his new role, Deco had to give up his work as an agent. The ex-midfielder now formally returns to Barcelona. He previously played for the club from 2004 to 2008.