Fabricio Coloccini has spoken of his pride at being asked to continue as captain by new Newcastle coach Steve McClaren.
The Argentinine was linked with a summer move away from Tyneside with former boss Alan Pardew, now at Crystal Palace, among his admirers.
However, he remains at St James' Park after signing a contract extension and is thrilled still to be wearing the armband.
Coloccini told BBC Radio Newcastle: "For me, it's something very important. I know there was much speculation about the captaincy, but for me it is something special.
"The manager made the choice and to be captain again is fantastic news."
Coloccini was one of the men to receive criticism last season as the Magpies struggled to retain their Premier League status, and there was a school of thought which suggested he should be relieved of the captaincy.
He insists he would have had no problem had McClaren looked elsewhere, but is delighted that he did not.
He said: "It's part of football. It's the team, we have to think of the team. If the manager thinks it is better for the team, then I don't have a problem.
"But for me, it's fantastic because as I have always said, I am from Argentina and I came to another country and didn't know the language, so everything was new. But they made me feel part of the family here, and I am very proud of that."
