CITY director of operations David Baldwin is leaving to join Burnley.

Baldwin will link up with the Premier League club next month – ending a seven-year association with Valley Parade.

The Clarets will pay City an undisclosed five-figure fee for the 43-year-old, who has made the decision on family grounds. His wife Ashleigh is expecting a child early in the new year.

Baldwin, who previously turned down a job offer from Burnley in 2012, admitted it was a tough call to make.

He said: “You have to think with your head and manage your heart at the same time.

“My circumstances at home have changed radically in the last 12 months. When it comes to livelihoods, you have to consider your family.

“In any walk of life, you want to achieve the best you can. The biggest thing for me is that we’ve got a child on the way and I’ve got to consider the long term and the ability to best provide for them.

“But I am a Bradford City fan and my heart will always be here.”

Baldwin will finish with City after the Doncaster home game on November 1. He takes up the role of chief operating officer at Turf Moor two days later.

He added: “It’s principally a similar role. The numbers change but the duties to perform will be of a similar nature.

“Geographically, it’s easily commutable from where I live so that had a big bearing on it as well.

“There was a discussion about a role with Burnley a couple of years back but my feeling then was that there will still lots of things I wanted to change here.

“But circumstances are different now and this decision has been borne out of me providing for my family.”

Baldwin arrived in the summer of 2007 at a time which saw Mark Lawn take on joint-ownership with Julian Rhodes and Stuart McCall installed as manager.

“We’ve seen some positive changes,” he said. “There have been progressive improvements along the way, which have been sustainable.

“I’d like to think I’ve played my small part in that but it’s certainly not down to me alone.

“It’s been very much a team effort and there are some very good people at the club who work as real unsung heroes. They will maintain the standards that have been set.

“It’s a real testament to the staff that with the nature of the operation now we aren’t reacting to problems. We are ahead of the game.

“You don’t stop being a fan of the club and I’ll certainly be back watching games when the opportunity presents. But I’ve got some very special memories locked away in my heart and I’ll forever remember them.”

City will take their time to decide on a replacement for Baldwin, who has agreed to work his final month for nothing.

Rhodes said: “David came in at a particularly difficult time when we’d just got relegated to the bottom division and everyone was on a bit of a low. We’re a different club now.

“He has been doing a good job and it is credit to him that he’s been noticed by the nearest possible Premier League club. It’s a great move for him.

“David is a Bradford fan and he’s on the end of a phone if we need anything. I’m sure he will help.

“We have to work out how we are going to replace him. Mark’s off at the moment and I’ve only been able to speak to him briefly.

“We’ll have a proper conversation when he gets back and decide on the best way forward.”