Barcelona members have elected Joan Laporta as their new club president.

President of the Catalonia-based team between 2003-2010, Laporta returns to the role after receiving 57.6% of the vote.

51,765 out of 109,531 eligible members voted in the election, with Laporta beating out Victor Font and Antoni Freixa for the position.

During his previous stint at the club, Laporta oversaw Barcelona win four La Liga titles and two Champions League victories.

He takes over a team in a precarious position, following the resignation of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Bartomeu was also arrested last week in an investigation of allegations of improper management and business corruption, which resulted in the club’s office at Camp Nou being raided.

Barcelona was embarrassed 8-2 in the Champions League last season against Bayern Munich, which led to star player Lionel Messi requesting to leave the club.

They currently sit three points behind La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid, who still have a game in hand.

Although the club is slowly regaining its feet under new head coach Ronald Koeman, Laporta will have to face a number of off-field financial issues.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen financial problems arise from no ticket revenue and reduced merchandise sales.

Barcelona currently has a net debt of AUD$756 million, with cuts and delayed payments to players in use.