David Silva has been named as the new club captain of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Manager Pep Guardiola has announced the veteran Spanish playmaker, who is now in his final season at the club, came out top in a vote held by the squad.
The 33-year-old will take over from the long-serving Vincent Kompany, who left the club at the end of last season.
Silva had been the favourite after taking the armband for the majority of City’s pre-season games, as well as the Community Shield, but Guardiola wanted the whole squad to make a decision after returning to training.
Guardiola, who added that Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero will also be part of a leadership group, said: “David Silva will be our captain. He’s been one decade here, he knows the club, he knows the Premier League. He has big respect from his mates.
“The decision taken was the best for the club. He will be a good captain.”
City learned this week that winger Leroy Sane had suffered a serious knee injury and will undergo surgery next week to repair a damaged anterior cruciate ligament.
Guardiola said: “Cancelo is not going to play yet. He only arrived two days ago, but he will settle good.
“He came and gave us something we didn’t have. His physicality is beyond normal.
“We wanted competition and I think for Kyle it’s important to have good competition, like he had with Danilo.
“Both have to fight for the position. It is good for the team. But right now Kyle is the first one.”
