West Brom have announced the club's director of football Richard Garlick is leaving to become the Premier League's first director of football.
The 41-year-old departs after eight years at The Hawthorns, during which time he also held posts as legal director/secretary and technical director.
Garlick will remain in his post during the summer and is determined to help West Brom, who are bottom of the Premier League, prepare for a potential major overhaul if they are relegated.
Speaking about his new role, Garlick said: "It's an opportunity that is impossible to turn down and one I am very excited to be taking.
"But of course I am very conscious that I will be leaving Albion at the lowest point we have experienced in my eight years here and that is not something I lightly dismiss.
"Albion has become my second home and come to mean everything to me and my family as the club built a successful period of growth within the Premier League.
"It's always been a challenge but it is one I have relished every day and to be leaving it at this moment is not easy.
"All I can say is that we are all keenly aware there is a major 'rebirth' to be planned this summer and I will do everything I can to help that process before I move on."
West Brom chief executive Mark Jenkins confirmed he attempted to persuade Garlick to stay at the club.
"I have tried to persuade Richard to stay but the opportunity the Premier League have offered him is one anyone would find difficult to turn away," said Jenkins.
"He leaves us with our very best wishes in his new post. We will be sorry to see him go as he has been an invaluable member of our senior team for a long time.
"But Richard will play a leading role in helping us through some very important decisions in the remaining weeks of his duties. He will continue to work closely with Technical Consultant Giuliano Terraneo and myself on the important challenges we will be tackling.
"I want to assure supporters that we remain determined to take an opportunity this summer to re-launch the club into a new and positive era."
Garlick's new role will see him oversee the primary football administration functions at the Premier League, including football operations, football relations, youth development, coaching and young player education.
Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore said: "We are very happy to have secured a person with Richard's knowledge and experience to take on this vital role at the Premier League.
"He is well known to the clubs and respected by all."
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