"?Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been elected as the new captain of the German national team following Bastian Schweinsteiger's retirement from international football.
At the age of 30, Neuer has made 71 appearances for his country following his debut in 2009 against the United Arab Emirates during a tour of Asia.
Introducing the new #DieMannschaft captain, @Manuel_Neuer!
More shortly on https://t.co/ictu8PTtGK... pic.twitter.com/IhCNsWbp7w
"?Announced on the official Twitter page for the German national team, the shot stopper was selected ahead of the likes of Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Jerome Boateng, who had publicly stated his desire to captain his country.
Following the success experienced under Joachim Low, Neuer, who was a key part of Germany's World Cup success in 2014, will be expected to lead a revolution of the national team, with an exciting crop of youngsters emerging on the scene.
He will lead the country out as the official captain for the first time in Germany's first 2018 World Cup qualifier away in Oslo when they visit Norway on Sunday.
The likes of Niklas Sule, Julian Brandt and goalscorer Max Meyer all featured in the 2-0 victory in a friendly against Finland on Wednesday night, a trio who Low said provided a glimpse into the future.
?? @Manuel_Neuer ??#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/LY61cFgxwu
The win also marked Bastian Schweinsteiger's last game as captain of his country after the Manchester United midfielder stepped down from international duty.
'Basti' becomes the second German skipper to bring a close to their time with 'Die Mannschaft' in recent years following Philip Lahm's retirement in 2014.
Thanks for everything!
It was a great honor for me. ?? pic.twitter.com/aPSWMJzb6x
...but we cheered with you too! ?
Thank you for 12 unforgettable years, @BSchweinsteiger! #ServusBasti pic.twitter.com/Fpc61ivaRR
Neuer has previously captained his country, and ahead of Euro 2016 spoke of how he was not concerned by who wore the armband insisting that every member of the squad was vitally important.