London, Aug 28 (IANS): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was Thursday named captain of the England national football team.
Rooney takes over from Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who retired after England's World Cup elimination.
The 28-year-old has has made 95 appearances for the national side scoring 40 goals.
"I gave it a lot of thought but Wayne is an obvious choice, England coach Roy Hodgson was quoted as saying by BBC.
"He deserves it. He has captained England in the past and has that responsibility at Manchester United. I've had a long conversation with him and he's prepared to accept the pressures that the England captaincy brings."
England play Norway at Wembley Sep 3 in a friendly before their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against Switzerland Sep 8.