Bermuda's squash chiefs have pulled off a major coup in attracting world champion David Palmer to the Island.

Australian Palmer, who beat Scotland's John White in a thrilling World Open final in Antwerp, Belgium over the weekend, has been granted residency and will be used to boost the profile of the Island on the global stage. Currently living in Belgium, he will arrive in Bermuda early in the New Year.

Australia `s leading squash player, Palmer has been a Professional Squash Association player since 1994. In 1997 he won four successive PSA Tour titles. He strode into the top ten in February, 2000, claiming two PSA titles from six final appearances in 1999, and then seized the number three ranking in May, 2001, beating world champion Peter Nicol and going on to reach the PSA Masters final in Egypt.

He triumphed at the Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong and attained the World number one ranking in September, 2001.

Until this weekend Palmer was also president of the Professional Squash Association, the body that runs the men's tour. He was replaced by Englishman Mark Chaloner.

Ross Triffitt, Bermuda's director of squash, was understandably delighted to have acquired the services of such a high profile star.

"He is currently based in Antwerp but for various reasons he has become a resident here," said Triffitt. "The squash association is very excited about the move because David has agreed to be very active and involved in the development of our players here."

One of those who will benefit most will be James Stout. Due to turn professional in January, the teenager is planning to link up with Palmer to further aid his game.

"We plan to get James over to Belgium to spend a few months with David," said Triffitt. "In addition to that David will be visiting the Island regularly which creates excellent potential for our players to get exposed to some top squash and to see some fantastic exhibition matches which David has said he will be willing to be involved in."

The move is the culmination of many months of discussions.

"It really came about through Bermuda's former professional Julian Rose," said Triffitt. "He is very good friends with David Palmer's current coach, Shaun Moxham, and in fact Julian looked after him when he was just getting based in Europe. Now Julian is helping out with Shaun's protege and he deserves all the credit for getting David out here."

As one of the top earners in As one of the top earners in the sport it is obvious why Palmer has opted to move to a location such as Bermuda, and Triffitt is more than happy to take advantage of that situation.

"It is certainly financially very beneficial for him to be based here," said Triffitt. "That is great for us. It's excellent to be able to have such an amazing player living here."

Palmer's move is not unprecedented as another Australian professional, Rodney Eyles, also lived here for a time.

"Dave is basically following in Rodney's footsteps," said Triffitt. "I think his decision to be based here planted a seed in David's mind."

However, Palmer will not be flying the flag for Bermuda as he tours the world. Unlike, the aforementioned Scot Nicol, who switched allegiance to England and White, Australian-raised but now representing Scotland, Palmer will be retaining his Australian identity.

"There are a lot of restrictions set out by the World Squash Federation about changing allegiance," Triffitt said. "While many players might be based in different locations, to change their allegiance is quite complicated and can mean they will have to serve a ban for a certain period of time from top competitions. Certainly, that was the case with John White who was not allowed to play for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.

"A change of allegiance is something that we would have jumped at the chance for him to have done but it was never discussed."

Palmer's 13-15, 12-15, 15-6, 15-14, 15-11 victory on Saturday was in one of the best finals in the Open's 25-year history and could not have come at a better time in respect of this latest announcement.

The 26-year-old not only battled back from two games down against White, but played two nerveless points at 13-14 and 14-all in the fourth game.

His success helped him forget a feeling that he had reached the final by default after Jonathon Power, the Commonwealth champion from Canada, injured an eye on the end of Palmer's racquet in the semi-finals the night before.

"What happened on Saturday was fantastic," Triffitt said. "He has been ranked number one previously and has been on the verge of doing great things. This has been his major goal and to see him be able to go on and achieve it is great and perfect timing as far as we are concerned."