The Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been named England's new captain.
Wayne Rooney Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Rooney, who succeeds Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, says his appointment is beyond his wildest dreams.
The 28-year-old says it's something he will take massive pride in doing.
England's manager Roy Hodgson said he believes Rooney is well suited to the role despite lingering question marks over the player's maturity and temperament.
Rooney will lead England for the first time in a friendly against Norway on the 3rd of next month.
He became the youngest England player when he made his debut in a friendly against Australia in 2003, and scored his first goal later that year against Macedonia in a European Championships qualifier.
Rooney has captained England twice - in a pre-tournament friendly with Brazil in 2009 and a World Cup qualifier against San Marino in 2012 - as well as having previously had a stint as vice-captain.
Hodgson has named four uncapped players in his latest squad, with Arsenal's 19-year-old defender Calum Chambers, and Newcastle's Jack Colback, Tottenham's Danny Rose and Aston Villa's Fabian Delph, all 24, in line to make their international debuts.
