Matty Dolan has been named Newport County AFC’s club captain ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Dolan is one of the Exiles’ longest-serving players, having joined the club four years ago, and has been handed the armband by manager Michael Flynn for the upcoming campaign.
It comes after the versatile midfielder, who was deployed at the heart of County’s defence last season, scooped the Exiles' Player of the Season accolade at the 2020/21 end-of-season awards for his performances last term.
The 28-year-old has made 170 appearances - scoring 14 goals - during his time at Rodney Parade and has played a pivotal role in County’s league and cup success since joining the club.
He reached the Sky Bet League Two play-off final with the Exiles in his second season in south Wales and was also a key member of the squad that achieved the same feat last term.
Dolan has also helped the Exiles enjoyed success in the Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup in recent seasons, with the Exiles reaching the third round of the former in each season since his arrival in 2017.
Mickey Demetriou - another long-standing servant who played alongside Dolan in defence last term - will assume the role as vice-captain for the new season.
Dolan said: "It’s a massive honour because I’ve been at the club for a long time now. I’ll wear the armband with a lot of pride and I’ll give everything I’ve got to the football club to make sure we carry on our success.
"Certain players aspire to be captains and it’s something that I’ve thought about as I’ve progressed through my career. I like to show those leadership qualities and any help that I can give to the club and the lads, I want to do that and lead by example.
"We’ve got a lot of leaders in our dressing room who will be looking to set an example too, but it will be a huge honour for me to be captain.
"I’ve spoken to the gaffer about it and it’s something that I’m going to take very seriously to make sure I help this football club keep achieving things that it’s achieved in previous years."