Deco has been confirmed as Barcelona's new sporting director on a permanent basis, in a massive change of management which sees Mateu Alemany leave the Catalan giants.
The former first-team midfielder joined the club from Porto in 2004, and had four enjoyable years in Barcelona before moving to Premier League side Chelsea.
Deco, 45, had been doing the sporting director's duties temporarily, but Barcelona confirmed his full-time appointment on Wednesday, honouring him with a three-year contract.
A club statement said Deco would be 'setting FC Barcelona's sporting philosophy and putting together the squad with the coach and the coaching and becoming head of the football section'.
Deco will be be the sole director on the sporting direction of Barcelona, as they seek to retain the LaLiga title they won last season, while pushing for Champions League glory also.
Deco brokered the £52m deal to take Raphinha from Leeds United to Barcelona last summer.
Previous sporting director Jordi Cruyff left his consultancy role at the club at the end of last season after two years in the role, and now Alemany will also depart once the summer transfer window closes at the start of September. Deco and Alemany will continue to work together until that time.
Cruyff, the son of legendary ex-Barca player and manager Johan, worked closely with Alemany, helping the Catalans navigate through a difficult financial period.
Alemany, 60, was wanted by English side Aston Villa in the summer, and initially agreed to join the Villains, only to perform a last-ditch U-turn and stay at Barcelona, where he has been since 2021, and overseen the transfers that set the foundations for their 2023 domestic title.
He previously was President at Real Mallorca after years of service to the club, as well as General Director of Valencia between 2017 and 2019.
Anderson Luis de Souza became known by the nickname 'Deco' given to him by his uncle as a child.
During his playing days, he won the Champions League with Porto and Barcelona, two LaLiga titles with the Catalan giants, and a Premier League title with Chelsea among other honours.
Deco played 161 games for Barcelona, scoring 20 goals and adding 45 assists during his time as one of the world's best midfielders, before leaving for England in 2008.
After 15 years, he returns to the club in a role critical to Barcelona's future.
laocdklmuz
0
your welcome ones again legend
Haaacestuz
0
Those who watched Deco play will know Pedri and Gavi are overrated
what about Xavi,Iniesta & Busquets???
Haaacestuz
0
Those who watched Deco play will know Pedri and Gavi are overrated
PSG is confused club ,just like second wife ,always have moods
JaylinMessi007
0
deco goated
etbravo
0
Those who watched Deco play will know Pedri and Gavi are overrated
Now you want us to praise Deco while we didn’t see him playing
pedbdeps
1
At what age?
Who knew Deco at their ages?
pedbdeps
1
Those who watched Deco play will know Pedri and Gavi are overrated
At what age?
lented
5
Those who watched Deco play will know Pedri and Gavi are overrated
LM10NayeemLM10
3
Now all the players will come to training drunk.
Marshalnoob
0
We need a right back and a play maker or attacker