Caltex Socceroo Mark Milligan has been named captain of English Football League One side Southend United.
The Australian skipper, 33, joined the Blues earlier this month following his exit from Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian.
"I’m very pleased,” Milligan told the club’s website. “It’s a nice responsibility.
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"It’s not something we’ve spoken about a great deal but it’s something that I will take very seriously.
"I like to lead by example and I’ll do the absolute best I can.
"I’ve been fortunate enough to be captain in a number of teams that I’ve been at and hopefully my experiences over my footballing journey can help here.”
Milligan, a four-time World Cup Caltex Socceroo, penned a one-year deal at Roots Hall on July 2. It is expected he will remain with Southend for an additional two years in a coaching role.
Englishman Sam Manton – a player Southend coach Kevin Bond described as a ‘blinding individual’ - has handed the armband over to Milligan.
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“My decision to make Milly captain is not a reflection on Sam or anyone else in any shape or form,” Bond told the club website. It’s more of a reflection on Milly than anyone else.”
"It’s what he offers us and brings to the group. To bring that out of him I felt I needed to make that decision."
