Former Crystal Palace academy coach Derek Broadley has been officially unveiled as technical director to finally bring closure to Bermuda Football Association's long drawn-out recruitment search.

Broadley, who was most recently head coach of Reading Rage in the US, has been charged with a remit to revolutionise local football from the grassroots up over the next three years.

Yesterday's announcement came as no surprise with The Royal Gazette revealing Broadley's appointment had been 'rubber-stamped' by the BFA's executive committee nearly a month ago.

BFA president Larry Mussenden told yesterday's press conference that over 20 applicants were short-listed for the far-reaching role with three "very impressive" candidates interviewed.

He added that Broadley would be expected to produce long-term coaching development plans and establish them at all levels of local football.

"Derek has had a distinguished career in the technical areas of football," said Mussenden.

"He has spent many years at Crystal Palace where he served as the director for the centre of excellence, full-time education and welfare officer and the academy director."

Mussenden also urged domestic clubs to "extend a warm greeting" to Broadley and to "open their minds" to his coaching knowledge and wisdom.

"I also ask that all Bermudians extend a warm greeting to him and to open not only our clubs, but our minds," he said.

Earlier this year Broadley was spotted being introduced to national team coaching staff at a Bermuda training session by, then, technical committee chairman Mark Trott who was later relieved of his duties.

Broadley has strong ties on the Island through Bermuda Football Foundation (BFF) founders Richard and Robert Calderon, who along with Clyde Best own a 30 percent stake in Reading Rage.

Based in Pennsylvania, the Rage has a team in the USL's PDL Championship. The league is effectively one tier below the USL-D2, which includes Bermuda Hogges.

Late last year The Royal Gazette revealed former Reggae Boyz coach Rene Simoes and ex-England striker Paul Mariner had both pulled out of the running for the technical director's vacancy having applied for the post.