Jamaal Lascelles feels a 'huge sense of responsibility' as Newcastle United captain and the defender admits he 'couldn't have even dreamt' about becoming the club's skipper.
After agreeing to stay on as Newcastle manager, Rafa Benitez had to appoint a new club captain following the departure of skipper Fabricio Coloccini in the summer of 2016.
Jonjo Shelvey and Moussa Sissoko had previously worn the armband at various points as Benitez's side were relegated to the Championship, but the Spaniard named Lascelles as captain ahead of his first full campaign in charge.
Benitez had noted how Lascelles proved himself to be 'a leader and a big personality in the dressing room and on the pitch', and how the centre-back 'really developed as a character and a man'.
Lascelles has kept the armband ever since and the 27-year-old has remained a key figure at the club under Steve Bruce, who succeeded Benitez last year.
"Firstly, I understand it's a massive honour," Lascelles told NUFC TV. "With the captains before me, it's a huge privilege and a huge sense of responsibility as well. It's a huge footballing city.
"The fans are really passionate about the sport, about Newcastle, and I understand it. To be captain, especially when I got the armband when I was 22 under Rafa, I couldn't even have dreamt about it. It was something that I never thought would really happen.
"As the years have gone on, there are just different ways of being a captain. It's trying to better myself in being a captain and obviously as a player as well. It's taking on different roles really but, overall, it's just a huge honour."
