Thursday 7 June 2018 19:17, UK
Spanish champions Barcelona have appointed former defender Eric Abidal as their new sporting director.
The Frenchman, a key member of their squad between 2007 and 2013, won four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues with the Catalan club.
Abidal will replace current incumbent Robert Fernandez, whose contract expires at the end of this month.
The former France international, who returned to playing after a liver transplant in April 2012, will work alongside general manager Pep Segura and will be responsible for player recruitment.
A statement read: "Eric Abidal will take over the role as football first team technical secretary. His official presentation will be on Monday 18 July.
"The former French international is no stranger to overcoming obstacles in life as he battled cancer during his time at FC Barcelona.
"In 2011, captain Carles Puyol made the grand gesture of allowing Abidal to raise the Champions League trophy at Wembley in the midst of his recovery and.
"In 2013 he overcame the return of the illness to lift the league trophy under coach Tito Vilanova.
"Since his departure as a player, Abidal has maintained strong links to FC Barcelona.
"He has been heavily involved in the activities of the Barça Foundation and has turned out for the veterans' team, Barca Legends."
