Adelaide United FC has announced its captain at a media conference today with Michael Valkanis becoming the third captain since the club was formed. Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar made the announcement, stating Valkanis has the attributes required to lead The Reds in the right direction on and off the pitch.

“We needed someone who is going to be a strong leader, we needed someone who was going to tick all the boxes and Michael was the person who ticked those boxes,” Vidmar said.

Valkanis was a member of Adelaide United’s inaugural team and the ever reliable defender brings a wealth of experience to the captaincy role. Having been a vice captain with the club last season, Valkanis was thrilled to be selected to wear the captain’s arm band and is privileged to be assigned the role with a number of exciting and talented young players in the squad.

“I am very proud and very honoured and excited to be leading this bunch of boys,” Valkanis said.

“I’ve been part of the club since the start and we’ve played finals every year and I’m looking forward to going to the next step with this group of boys and I really believe we can do that.”

Valkanis believes his strength as a captain will be understanding how each player gets motivated saying,” I know each one is motivated in a different way and I’ve got to try and find out what motivates each individual and help us achieve one common goal.”

The club also announced 27 year old Travis Dodd as the new vice captain. The Adelaide born attacking midfielder has been one of Adelaide United’s key playmakers, his leadership credentials primarily demonstrated by his performances on the pitch, which has included scoring a hat trick in the 2007 AFC Champions League.

“It’s a huge honour. I’ve never been given an official leadership role so to speak so to be handed the vice captaincy gives me a lot of confidence to know that the coach and staff know I can do the job,” Dodd said.

Both Dodd and Valkanis are capped Socceroos, having made their debuts in the same game against Bahrain in 2006 in which Dodd scored. The duo has also played for overseas clubs and Vidmar sees them as fitting choices to lead Adelaide United.

Vidmar said, “I think this has given Travis more responsibility and hopefully that can get some consistency in his game. I think these are two very good choices that will lead the club to a bright future.”

Along with the announcement of the captain and vice captain, Vidmar also named a six man leadership group which is aimed at helping the development of United’s younger players and continuing to keep Adelaide United as a frontrunner in the Hyundai A-League.

The members of the leadership group, which is a new initiative for the club are Michael Valkanis, Travis Dodd, Paul Agostino, Richie Alagich, Bruce Djite and Lucas Pantelis.