Sunderland defender Trai Hume will captain Northern Ireland for the first time in Thursday’s Nations League opener with Luxembourg.
The 22-year-old has been handed the armband for the game at Windsor Park as Michael O’Neill assesses his options after the international retirement of Jonny Evans.
O’Neill has said he plans to rotate the armband throughout the Nations League as he seeks a permanent successor for Manchester United defender Evans.
“It’s not only important that we use this tournament wisely for progression and for the development of the team, but to get to decisions on that and see how people are,” O’Neill said.
“I said I would look at the situation throughout the Nations League. If you look at the past, when Aaron [Hughes] retired, Steven [Davis] was the natural successor to be the captain for a long time.
“When Steven wasn’t available then Jonny [Evans] was the natural successor. It wasn’t a very difficult or challenging decision that I had to make, to be honest.”
Hume has impressed for Sunderland, who currently top the Championship with four wins from four, since joining from Irish Premiership club Linfield in January 2022.
He made his international debut that March and has established himself as a key player under O’Neill.
“I’m proud. I know my family will be happy about it,” Hume said.
“I won’t let it affect me too much, I want to focus on the game and help my team-mates out on the pitch. That will be how I’m going about it.”