Division North Village this week.

Club sources confirmed that Thompson had agreed to leave a similar post at Somerset Eagles to become the Red Devils' third coach in three months. He will replace Leroy Wilson, who had donned the interim tag since February when he took over from Wendell Baxter, who abruptly quit after Village's shock FA Cup quarter-final loss to Second Division Hotels, citing personal reasons.

Wilson, who guided Village to the club's first championship in four years -- the Friendship Trophy -- after stepping up from the assistant coach position, was said to have been again offered a secondary role of assisting. However, it was not known whether he had agreed. Wilson has privately hinted at retirement.

Rudolph (Buddy) Hollis, president of Village, would not confirm the hiring of Thompson, saying that the matter of notifying "both parties'' of their decision had been left in the hands of a club committee.

But it is understood that Thompson has already been awarded a three-year contract in hopes that he might provide the spark needed for a club that has underachieved in recent years.

Village began pursuing 32-year-old Thompson towards the end of the regular season, holding informal talks before conducting formal interviews.

A snag to the negotiations cropped up when Thompson asked to be allowed to remain active in coaching Somerset Eagles' Minor Division outfit, something Village's management committee at first vigorously objected to. However, the situation has apparently been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

The beginning of last season saw Thompson take over a flagging operation at White Hill, instituting an ambitious youth programme while also taking over the reins at senior level.

But the former national team player is known to have become increasingly disenchanted by Bridge management's lack of support.

Thompson is much travelled, having performed for various clubs, including Dandy Town, Somerset, Eagles and Village, normally assuming attacking midfield roles.

He has been a member of the Bermuda national squad and tried out for Major League Soccer outfit DC United. He also conducted junior soccer clinics in the Washington DC area while a student at Howard University, where he majored in physical education.