A club spokesman announced yesterday that Barcelona have sold Portuguese midfielder Deco to Chelsea for ten million euros.

Since joining the club in July 2004, Deco, who will turn 31 later this summer, has won two league, one Champions League and two Spanish Supercup winners' medals, all of which were achieved during his first two seasons.

Deco, who was born in Brazil and whose full name is Anderson Luiz de Sousa, has signed a three-year deal with the Stamford Bridge outfit, where he will be reunited with Portugal's former Brzilian coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

It is rumoured that Deco has been brought in as possible cover for Frank Lampard, who may sign for Inter Milan.