The Football Association has appointed West Brom's sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth to the role of director of elite development.

Ashworth, 41, will remain in his current position until next summer before taking up his new post. He is the second West Brom official to leave The Hawthorns for the FA in the space of four months following Roy Hodgson's appointment as England manager. Talking to BBC Sport, he said:

"Working within the national set-up has always been a lifelong ambition. To do so at a time when the future of the game has never looked brighter is an exciting challenge."

He will be based at the FA's new National Football Centre at St George's Park and joins the organisation following ex-England defender Gareth Southgate's departure from the role in July. Working with director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, Ashworth will be involved with developing the country's elite talent but not working specifically with the England senior or Under-21 teams. Ashworth will manage the FA's coach education team and ensure that the facilities at St George's Park are used efficiently.

Before Ashworth takes up his role, Albion chairman Jeremy Pearce said the 41-year-old will assist the club in identifying his successor and integrating his replacement into the role.