Sandro Rosell has been confirmed as the new president of Barcelona after receiving more than 61%.
The former Barca vice-president scooped 61.34% of the overall share, having been voted in by more than 35,000 socios.
"This dream has been made possible by many people," Rosell said.
Rosell served as vice-president under Laporta for two years, but resigned in 2005 because he believed the Barca chief was failing to stick to his original model for the running of the club.
Rosell was key to bringing players such as Ronaldinho and Deco to the club and has remained popular with fans.
And, despite his differences with Laporta, the new president has stressed Barca will come first.
"From tomorrow we will all have to row in the same direction," he said upon casting his vote earlier today.
Rosell will now have to work with Laporta in a two-week handover period, but expects no problems.
"It will be a smooth transition," he said earlier this week.
Laporta took over as president from Joan Gaspart in 2003, but failed to fulfil his election pledge of bringing David Beckham to the Nou Camp.
That deal failed to materialise as the former England captain opted to join Real Madrid, but Laporta's decision to sign Ronaldinho proved an ever better move as Barcelona, following a trophyless first season, went on to win two league titles and a Champions League crown under coach Frank Rijkaard, also appointed by Laporta.
The Barca president survived a confidence vote after two years without a trophy as Rijkaard lost control of the dressing room and Ronaldinho lost his shape.
But success on the field returned under Guardiola, who has led the club to seven trophies in two seasons, including all six on offer in 2009.
In Laporta's time in office, Barca have won 12 trophies in all, making the 47-year-old the club's most successful president ever.
Off the pitch, however, the lawyer has had his critics.
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Laporta has been accused of mixing the club with his own political agenda as well as using the Barca brand for his own personal gain. But the president says he will leave with his conscience clear.
