Captain caveman!

Newcastle have named Fabricio Coloccini as the club captain for the 2011/2012 Premier League season.

Colo will replace the now departed Kevin Nolan in the role as skipper as he looks to lead a new look Newcastle United into the new season.

The Argie was just about the winner in our poll when we asked you guys who you thought should be the next Captain of NUFC as he finished just ahead of Joey Barton. The pair took a turn each at leading the lads last season, but it's Colo who has seemingly got your backing to wear the armband. You can see the results below.

[poll id="16"]

I've a sneaking suspicion that Joey Barton would have got the armband had it not been for the contract wrangle and the subsequent Twitter ranting, but hey ho, it wasn't to be and Colo is the man. Naturally he is delighted to have the honour of being club captain, but then again so was Kevin Nolan just before he moved to West Ham..... Speaking to the official club website, Coloccini had this to say:

"I am thrilled to be named captain of Newcastle United. It is one of the proudest moments of my career," said Coloccini.

"Leading the team out in front of our supporters in our first game against Arsenal will be a great honour for me and I aim to give my best for the team and the supporters throughout the season. I would also like to than Alan Pardew for putting his faith in me. It means so much to me."

Meanwhile Alan Pardew, who had initially insisted that he would wait to see who could prove themselves to be captain material, now claims that the decision was never in doubt.

"I had no hesitation in choosing Fabricio to be my captain next season," Pardew told nufc.co.uk.

"He will lead the team in a different manner to Kevin but his professionalism, attitude, application and fantastic character made him the standout candidate and, in my mind, the 100 per cent right decision."

Time will tell on that one of course......

It does make sense though. Colo is going to be a regular starter, he is one of our best performers, he is a crowd favourite, is a model professional, and he gives his all to the cause. Particularly impressive when you factor in his shaky start to life on Tyneside.

Getting back to the votes, Colo got mine. He may not be as vocal on the pitch as some of our former captains have been, but you can't deny that he won't lead by example. I'm made up for him.

Now to his first job...... Getting his mate to sign that new deal!