Richard Masters has been appointed as the permanent successor to Richard Scudamore as Premier League chief executive.

The league made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, with Masters having served in the position on an interim basis since Scudamore stood down in November of last year.

Susanna Dinnage accepted the role last year before deciding to remain in her role with the Discovery media group.

David Pemsel had been set to join from the Guardian Media Group. His appointment was announced on October 2, with the league saying at the time he would start no later than April 2020.

However, on November 29 the Premier League confirmed he had resigned following newspaper allegations about his private life.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who also chairs the Premier League nominations committee, said: “Richard took on the role of interim chief executive a year ago.

“Since then, the clubs have seen Richard rise to the occasion, dealing with our various stakeholders and partners with aplomb and skill.

“As interim chief executive, he has faced challenges head-on and has proved himself. The clubs believe that this is the right appointment now in the long-term interests of the Premier League.”

Masters said: “I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the Premier League in what will be one of the most exciting stages of its development.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clubs and our partners and other stakeholders over the past year. This is one of the most incredible jobs in the world of sport and I now look forward to leading the league in the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Masters, who had been working as managing director before taking on the position of interim CEO, has proved popular with the clubs.

He will now oversee the sale of the league’s next round of domestic and overseas broadcasting rights, manage the competing interests of the division’s ‘big six’ and the rest, and be a key voice in how the landscape of European football looks from 2024 onwards, as suggestions persist that continental club competition could face an overhaul.

Masters first joined the Premier League in 2006 as its director of sales and marketing, taking on the role of managing director in July 2015.

He previously worked for the EFL and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Football Association chairman Greg Clarke congratulated Masters, hailing his knowledge and experience of the English game and his leadership skills.

Through the FA Spokesperson account, he tweeted: “On behalf of everyone at the FA, I would like to congratulate Richard Masters on his new appointment as chief executive of the Premier League. Richard has ably guided the organisation in recent times and is a proven leader.

“His knowledge and experience of the Premier League and the English game is invaluable and we look forward to working closely with him in the future.”