Soccer-Barca name former midfielder Deco as new sporting director

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Workers and FIFA Legends Friendly match - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 12, 2022 Former Portugal player Deco warms up before the match REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo

(Reuters) - Barcelona have appointed former Portugal midfielder Deco as the club's new sporting director for the next three seasons, the LaLiga champions announced on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old, who played for the Catalan club between 2004 and 2008, will replace Dutchman Jordi Cruyff. Cruyff, the son of Barca great Johan Cruyff, left in June after two years in the role.