GARETH Ellis says he won't take his new position lightly after being "humbled" at being made Hull FC captain.
Ellis will take over from Andy Lynch as club captain of the Black and Whites this season after coach Peter Gentle opted for a change in leadership.
As well as Lynch being replaced as captain, vice-captain Richard Horne has also been replaced, with Danny Houghton rewarded for his rise to prominence with the role.
Ellis follows in the footsteps of many greats of the game and says the chance to lead Hull into a new era is an opportunity to relish.
"It is a fantastic honour and one I won't take lightly," Ellis said.
"I've seen already what this club means to the players, the staff and the fans and to be named captain is a special achievement.
"You only have to look at some of the names who have done it before to realise what sort of company you're in, people like Johnny Whiteley, Clive Sullivan, Steve Norton, David Topliss – they're all legends of the club and the game.
"Even more recently I recall the likes of Jason Smith and Craig Fitzgibbon as captains, and these are some of the game's best players, so to be on the list is very humbling."
Ellis becomes Hull's fifth captain in the last four years following Lynch, Fitzgibbon, Sean Long and Lee Radford.
Gentle believes a change was needed to accompany Hull's fresh approach, but paid tribute to departing captain Lynch.
"Andy has done a great job and it goes without saying that he will continue to have a major role to play for us," he said.
