Deco Returns To Barcelona As New Sporting Director

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco is returning to the club after being hired as the new sporting director. Deco has signed a three-year contract at Barca.

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco is returning to the club as the new sporting director.

Deco has signed a three-year contract at the Camp Nou.

That contract will begin immediately but Deco will not officially be appointed as sporting director until Mateu Alemany leaves on September 1.

Deco scored 20 goals in 161 games for Barca between 2004 and 2008, winning five trophies, including the 2005/06 edition of the UEFA Champions League.

Deco pictured playing for Barcelona in 2005 :: IMAGO/PanoramiC

A club statement released by Barcelona on Wednesday read: "Deco will be in charge of setting FC Barcelona's sporting philosophy and putting together the squad with the coach and the coaching and becoming head of the football section."

It added: "Deco and Mateu Alemany will continue to work together until the closing of the transfer window."

Barcelona have signed three first-team players since winning La Liga last season.

Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez have joined on free transfers, while Oriol Romeu arrived from Girona for a fee in the region of €3.4 million.

🎙️👇 The words from our new sporting director, Deco: pic.twitter.com/TLsLd6qb5z

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 16, 2023