Kyle Walker confirmed as one of five Manchester City captains after vote by players and staff as 33-year-old defender vows to ‘lead by example on and off the field’

Kyle Walker has confirmed he is one of five Manchester City players to be elected club captain as part of a senior leadership group following a vote by players and staff.

The 33-year-old, who has worn the armband this season, confirmed the captaincy will be shared between a five-man leadership group after former captain Ilkay Gundogan vacated the armband when he left the club to join Barcelona.

Ahead of his side’s Champions League opener against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday, Walker told Athletic: ‘The captain’s vote has come in and five captains have been chosen. We will manage the team next season and ensure that everyone is under control and fines are paid.

‘It (wearing the captain’s armband) is something I am very honored to do. It was a privilege to lead this special group of players.

“I will continue to do that and hopefully lead by example, both on and off the field, to ensure we lift the trophies at the end of the season.”

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Man City boss Pep Guardiola has backed the England full-back following his off-field indiscretions.

In 2020, Walker apologized to City fans for flouting lockdown rules.

Walker has been caught breaking government social distancing rules twice in recent weeks, once by entertaining a call girl at his flat and then by visiting his mother and sister in Yorkshire.

Last year the club decided to take no action after he was filmed exposing himself in a bar in Wilmslow, Manchester on a day off.

Walker signed a new two-year extension this summer after being convinced to stay with Guardiola.

“I’m very happy to sign a new deal,” said Walker. “My future is at Manchester City and that is the best for me.

‘I have enjoyed every moment of the past six years at this fantastic club. I have a great coach, great teammates and staff, and our fans are the best. I feel supported at every level.

‘The Treble-winning season is one I will never forget and we are ready to go again and try to win more trophies.

‘The boys are looking forward to achieving something very special again this season, fingers crossed. I really wanted to be there and I didn’t want to miss it.

‘We captains must demand that. We have set the bar high and every year it is about: how do you get better? How do we get better? It seems like we do that every year.

‘We’ve probably gone to the top of the top, where to stay there we’re only down because are we going to win another Treble? Who knows? You know, we could do that.”

The England international, who scored his country’s first goal against Ukraine last weekend, recently admitted that a move to Bayern Munich was ‘very close’ this summer but that his preference was always for the Etihad Stadium.

Walker cost £45million from Tottenham and was one of the best signings of Guardiola’s tenure, with sporting director Txiki Begiristain adding: ‘He is an excellent footballer and his speed, strength and experience make him such an important member of our squad.

‘For me he is the best right back in the world, a player with unique qualities. He brings a very special dynamic to our team.

“Kyle has been instrumental in our recent success and we are confident he will help us compete for trophies in the coming seasons.”