Mark Clattenburg quits as Premier League referee for take up role in Saudi Arabia

British referee, Mark Clattenburg has quit his role as a Premier League referee to join Saudi Arabia Football Federation, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced on Thursday.

Clattenburg, 41, who is regarded as one of world's top officials was at the center of the pitch at the finals of the European Championship, Champions League and FA Cup in 2016.

A statement by PGMOL reads;

"The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) would like to wish Mark Clattenburg well as he prepares for his move to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation."

"Since joining the PGMOL Select Group in 2004, Mark developed into one of our top officials, refereeing at the highest level and setting standards for others to follow. His accomplishments are numerous and last season saw Mark achieve a memorable treble, on top of another consistently excellent season in the Premier League, as he officiated three major cup finals - the FA Cup final, the Uefa Champions League final and the Uefa Euro 2016 final.

"Mark is a talented referee, he has been a great asset to the English game and hopefully an inspiration to those who want to get into refereeing at the grass roots of the game. We understand this is an exciting opportunity for Mark as well as further underlining what high esteem English match officials are held throughout the world game."

Clattenburg has been the subject of speculation in recent months after he admitted in January that he could be tempted like several football stars in Europe in making a switch to the Chinese league if a big offer comes. But instead it is relatively another wealthy football country that has succeeded in luring him away.

Clattenburg who has been a FIFA referee since 2006 and officiated the Olympic men's football final at London 2012 was named referee of the year at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai in December, 2016.