Barcelona confirm the appointment of Deco’s close aide as new head of scouting | OneFootball

Barcelona have completed the appointment of Joao Amaral as the club’s new Head of Scouting, with the move taking immediate effect, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The 38-year-old arrives from Rio Ave, where he served as technical director, and comes with the full backing of sporting director Deco, a long-time friend and trusted ally.

Amaral’s arrival marks a strategic step in Barcelona’s mission to strengthen their talent-spotting network and stay ahead in the race to identify football’s next big stars.

Known for his sharp eye in spotting raw potential, the Portuguese professional has a proven track record in managing scouting operations and building successful player development structures.

Sources close to the club have highlighted Amaral’s exceptional skills in coordination and player management, traits that make him a natural fit for the demands of his new role at Camp Nou.

Strong ties with Deco

Joao Amaral is a close confidant of Deco. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Before his time at Rio Ave, Amaral worked alongside Deco at D20, the representation and intermediation agency that closed when Deco accepted Joan Laporta’s offer to lead Barcelona’s sporting structure.

This long-standing professional relationship ensures a strong level of trust and understanding between the two, which will be key in the daily operations at Ciutat Esportiva.

It is said that earlier this summer, Amaral informed Rio Ave that he would be leaving for Barcelona, describing the opportunity as a dream move.

Since arriving in the Catalan capital, he has wasted no time, diving into scouting reports and preparing for the challenges ahead.

Deco has deliberately chosen a young, dynamic figure he knows well to help shape Barcelona’s recruitment strategy.

With Amaral now in place, the club is aiming to sharpen its competitive edge in the transfer market and ensure that the best emerging talents are wearing the Blaugrana shirt in the years to come.