Michael Bridges has been named Newcastle Jets captain for season 2010/11.

The 31-year old former Sunderland, Leeds United and Newcastle United striker will take the reins from Matt Thompson who joined Melbourne Heart in the off-season.

Bridges was delighted with the role and thanked the club for making his transition from the UK so easy.

"It's a great honour," Bridges said on Thursday.

"... A few of the boys stepped forward but thankfully I've been given the role and I'm looking forward to it and showing what we can do.

"The club's been awesome and welcomed me with open arms and it'd be nice to repay that favour and do it on the park and have a season where we make good strides forward."

Experienced defender Ljubo Milicevic has been named Bridges' vice-captain.