Emanuel Pogatetz is delighted to be named Middlesbrough captain for the new season.

"Being made captain is a great achievement for me and it is good to know that the gaffer has faith in me to do the job," he said. "I will look to set the same standards for the players that I always set for myself.

"I want to be 100 per cent professional and I expect the same attitude from my teammates.

"At the same time I want to be someone the players can turn to both on and off the pitch. If they have any issues I want them to feel as though they can come to me and discuss them.

"And, similarly, when we bring in new players over the summer I will do my best to make them feel at home as soon as possible."

Pogatetz, who played in each of his country's games in Euro 2008, knows Boro fans will have a big part to play in the new campaign and is calling on supporters to back the club's season card campaign.

"I know the chairman and club are doing everything possible to get the supporters to get behind us and the prices for young fans are amazing," he said.

"I hope the supporters agree and buy lots of season tickets because that will make a big difference for the players. It can help to inspire us and give us an advantage over the visiting teams."