Cocu Confirms Rooney As Permanent Captain

Phillip Cocu has confirmed Wayne Rooney as Derby County’s permanent captain.

The 34-year-old, who is England and Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer, was officially registered as a Derby player once the January Transfer Window opened on New Year’s Day.

Rooney wore the captain’s armband as he was handed his debut in a Rams shirt in the 2-1 home win over Barnsley at Pride Park Stadium on Thursday night.

Cocu confirmed after the game that Rooney will take over the captaincy from defender Curtis Davies.

He believes Rooney’s leadership qualities over the years, both for Manchester United and England at the highest level, made the choice an easy one for him to make.

The Derby boss told RamsTV: “Wayne Rooney is our captain.

“If we have a player among us who was captain of the national team with such a career and experience and leadership, I think it makes sense for everybody that he will be the captain of Derby County.”

Cocu was also keen to praise Davies for his contribution during his four-month stint as captain and added: “Curtis Davies will still be a captain within the group and the reaction he gave was positive.

“You saw today how he played the game was excellent. He is a real team player. Curtis has done great as a captain on the grass and off the grass, in difficult times.”