Conor Hourihane has been confirmed as Derby County’s new captain ahead of the start of the 2023/24 Sky Bet League One season this weekend.
The midfielder, who has worn the captain’s armband at several of his former clubs over the course of his career, is one of the most senior and experienced players in the Derby dressing room.
The departure of defender and captain Curtis Davies during the close season left Head Coach Paul Warne needing to name a new skipper and he opted to let the Rams’ players have their say on who the new captain would be.
Warne said: “Conor Hourihane will be the captain. He was the convincing winner in the vote and his leadership in the off-season and pre-season, and how he talks on the pitch, makes him a very good captain.
“Conor will be there for all the captaincy stuff like the coin toss and that sort of thing, but I expect everyone to be a leader and be vocal on the pitch.”
Hourihane, 32, made 53 appearances for the Rams in the 2022/23 campaign and scored seven goals in all competitions, while he was also named in the EFL’s League One of the Season.
The Republic of Ireland international has recorded over 500 appearances in club football and is set to wear the armband for the Rams’ season-opener at home to Wigan Athletic on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
