Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney has been named new England captain. Rooney won the nod ahead of the likes of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart to become the successor to Steven Gerrard, who retired from international football after the World Cup.
Rooney, who has worn the England armband on two previous occasions, will lead a new-look England squad featuring four uncapped players into the upcoming matches against Norway and Switzerland.
The striker told officialwaynerooney.com: "As a kid I always loved the occasion of watching a big England game on the television. Back then I had a burning ambition to play for my country. Now to be appointed captain is beyond my wildest dreams.
"I would like to thank Roy and the coaching staff for having the belief and confidence in me to do the job."
He added: "I hope that I will have the full backing of the fans.
"I am their type of player once I am on that pitch. My only thought is to win and give everything I have got and that sharing that desire will be the way I want to captain the team."
"England fans have a massive role to play not just in helping me as the captain but the team as a whole. When our fans sing the national anthem and support us in such numbers around the world I can promise you it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and is an enormous sense of pride for our country."
