It’s official.

Sean Payton is the next coach of the Broncos, the franchise announced Friday afternoon. It was reported Tuesday that the two sides had agreed in principle to a deal, but now the five-year contract has been signed.

Led by owner and CEO Greg Penner, the Broncos conducted a 37-day search for a head coach after firing Nathaniel Hackett on Dec. 26. And Payton was always considered one of the top candidates due to his prior experience, coaching the Saints for 15 seasons.

“Sean Payton is an outstanding leader and Super Bowl campion with a brilliant offensive mind,” Penner said in a statement. “Sean knows how to build a championship culture with high expectations. He coaches with intensity and attention-to-detail while setting and maintaining high standards. Sean pours his heart and soul into winning with preparation, creativity and a genuine love of the game.

“It is rare in any sport to hire a head coach with Sean’s credentials and we appreciate the first-class manner in which the Saints approached this process.”