English Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey will step down from his role at the end of the season.

Harvey will end a five-and-a-half-year reign after the EFL play-offs have been completed in May.

He said in a statement: “Having joined the EFL as CEO in October 2013, I am proud of what we have achieved since then, in what have not always been easy circumstances.

“After discussions with the board, we decided that the time is right for the EFL to now move in a different direction having concluded a number of commercial contracts that leave the league in a stable position.

“I am happy to remain as CEO until after the play-offs, in order to conclude a number of outstanding matters that we are currently dealing with, after which I will move on to pastures new and hopefully make a positive difference elsewhere.”

Harvey has worked for 25 consecutive years in professional football, all but two of which have been in the EFL with either clubs or the League itself.

Interim EFL chair Debbie Jevans paid tribute to the work Harvey has done during his time in the job.

“The EFL would like to thank Shaun for all he has delivered since joining as CEO,” she said.

“The EFL is in a strong position with a growing fan base throughout the world and Shaun deserves a lot of credit for this.

“Shaun and the board have agreed that the time is now right for a change of leadership and a new direction. We are pleased that Shaun has agreed to stay on until the end of the season.”