Wellington Phoenix have named their leadership duo for the upcoming A-League Men's season, with Alex Rufer and Oli Sail named as captain and vice-captain respectively.
The Phoenix were in need of a new captain following the departure of Ulises Davila, who left the club to join Macarthur FC for the 2021/22 season.
Rufer is the fifth player to be given the Phoenix's captain's armband, and the first player to do so having been developed by the Wellington club.
The step up to captain comes after two-seasons as vice-captain under Steven Taylor for Rufer, following the veteran defender's retirement earlier this year.
"I'm very, very proud," Rufer says. "I've been here for a long time and it means a lot to me to be named captain.
"I really love this club and the club means so much to me and I just want to give the best I can for the boys and the club and represent my family well."
Serving as Rufer's deputy is goalkeeper Sail, 25, who cemented himself as the Phoenix's first-choice No.1 last season.
After displacing All Whites goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic between the posts last season, Sail has started the Phoenix's last 20 consecutive matches, as the side missed out on a spot in the A-League finals.
"Really proud to be named vice-captain and appreciate the gesture from Ufy [manager Ufuk Talay]," Sail says.
"Hopefully I can repay his show of faith in the fact I can do a job in terms of leadership.
"Also excited to do it underneath Alex as captain. We've both been here at the club for a long time, seen a lot of ups and downs and ridden those journeys together."
The Phoenix begin their new A-League Men's season on Sunday night (NZ time), facing Macarthur FC in Sydney.
