Barcelona has hired Deco as sporting director on a three-year deal. Deco will replace Jordi Cruyff, who left the club earlier this year. 

Deco will also take over director of football Mateu Alemany's duties once the transfer window ends.

"Deco will be in charge of setting the club's sporting philosophy and putting together the squad with the coach, becoming head of the football section," the Catalan club said in a statement.

"His appointment is in line with the information released in May in which president [Joan Laporta] and [Alemany] agreed the latter's release from his role once the current transfer window closes on Sept. 2.

"Deco and Alemany will continue to work together until the closing of the window. In the coming weeks, the club will release details of the [new] sporting structure."