PARIS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on Friday confirmed the return of Leonardo de Araujo as the club's sporting director, which he previously held from 2011 to 2013, in place of departed Antero Henrique.
It was the third time for the 49-year-old Leonardo to have joined PSG. He signed with the club in 1996 as a player, scoring 10 goals in 46 appearances.
Leonardo ended his playing career at AC Milan in 2003, where he later became sporting director, coach and once again sporting director.
Leonardo rejoined PSG in July 2011. Over the following two seasons, the club won the Ligue 1 title in 2013.
"This club has been so important to me in my football career and in my life," Leonardo said after his signing with PSG. "I had really emotional moments here both as a player in the late 90s and more recently as sporting director along with our chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi on my return to the club in 2011. Today, I come back to Paris full of energy to rejoin this club that I deeply respect."
"'Leo' has a place in our club's history and we all know the role he played as sporting director at the start of our project," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman and CEO of Paris Saint-Germain.
"His return, with his enthusiasm and talent, will bring the club into a new ambitious cycle and I am sure that this reunion will bring happiness to the Parc des Princes, which has always kept 'Leo' in its heart," added Al-Khelaifi.
In his two seasons as sporting director since June 2017, Henrique helped PSG to win the Ligue 1 title in 2018 and 2019, the French Cup and French League Cup in 2018 as well as the French Super Cup in 2017 and 2018.
"The club thanks Antero Henrique for his professionalism and commitment over the past two years and wishes him all the best for his future projects," read a statement.
