Fulham striker Brian McBride has been given the honor of being named the club's captain by new manager Lawrie Sanchez.

The American, now in his third year with the club since signing from the Columbus Crew, filled the role during preseason and has now been given to post on a permanent basis.

"Lawrie asked me to be captain today, and I was delighted," McBride told the club's official website. "Obviously, the club has quite a few good leaders in the players that were here already and also the players Lawrie has brought into the squad."

Of those leaders, defenders Aaron Hughes, previously a Northern Ireland skipper under Sanchez, long-standing club player Zat Knight and former Russia captain Alexei Smertin were the logical rival candidates.

"To be asked to be captain of Fulham is a real honor," added McBride, once described by former Cottage manager Chris Coleman as 'the best signing in Premier League history'.

The former Crew front man will get his chance to debut his new arm wear when Fulham travels to North London for an opening day clash with Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.