THE Football Association of Wales (FAW) has unveiled its new chief executive this week.

FAW officials say they are pleased to announce that Noel Mooney has been appointed as Chief Executive and will come into the post on August 30.

Long-term FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford left the post last year following a vote of no confidence being passed by the FAW Council.

Mooney will join the FAW from UEFA, where he is Head of Strategic Development working with all 55 European federations on their development including strategy, commercial revenues, participation, public affairs, digital transformation and governance.

Mooney hails from Cappamore, Limerick in the Republic of Ireland and is a former League of Ireland goalkeeper who played for Limerick, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers.

Following his playing career, he joined the Football Association of Ireland in 2006 where his role was focussed on domestic football, later having the responsibility of marketing the League of Ireland.

Mooney has been with the European football governing body since 2011 and was seconded to the FAI for six months in 2019 to lead the association ad interim.

At UEFA, he has created a number of leading development programmes which have been adopted right across the European football landscape.

FAW President, Kieran O’ Connor welcomed Mooney’s appointment: “The FAW have identified Noel as the right person to manage the FAW into a new era of success and evolution.

"He has a vast experience of working across all European national associations over the past decade to grow European football and we are delighted that Noel has agreed to focus his experience and skillset to develop football in Wales.”

On his appointment, Noel Mooney said: “In this next chapter for Welsh football, we will grow and evolve the game to become more popular and successful.

"The mission is very clear and I can’t wait to work with everyone in Welsh football to reach our full potential. I have enjoyed collaborating with great people to grow European football at UEFA for the past decade and now the focus will be on ensuring that the FAW becomes one of the best football associations globally at all levels by being strong locally in every village and town across Wales.”