West Brom’s director of football administration Richard Garlick will leave the club to take up a role with the Premier League.

Albion announced Garlick, who has been with the club for eight years, has been appointed as the league’s first director of football.

The Baggies, who are rock bottom of the Premier League and facing relegation, sacked chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman in February before dismissing manager Alan Pardew last month.

Garlick has promised Albion fans he will work to rebuild the club before taking up his new role in the summer.

“It’s an opportunity that is impossible to turn down and one I am very excited to be taking,” the 41-year-old told the club’s website.

“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.

“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’s chief executive Mark Jenkins said: “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. He leaves us with our very best wishes in his new post.”

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.”