Soldado looks to emulate captain Albelda

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado is hoping to emulate David Albelda when the current club captain retires in the summer.

Albelda, who has spent his whole career at Mestalla apart from two loans spells with Villarreal, has made over 300 appearances for the La Liga outfit and was part of the side that won the league in 2001/02 and 2003/04 seasons, and finished runners-up in the UEFA Champions League in 2000 and 2001.

However, the 35-year-old is set to hang up his boots when the current campaign comes to a close and Soldado, who has regularly skippered Los Che in Albelda's absence, admits it would be an honour to emulate him.

"David is living history of the club, one of the greats," he told EFE.

"For me, I am also a Valencia fan and it is a huge honour to be one of the captains of Valencia.

"Hopefully, I can carry that armband for a long time and hopefully get some of the successes that David has enjoyed at the club."

There are currently questions over Valencia's financial stability but Soldado reveals he has full faith in president Manuel Llorente.

"I know that the club is in good hands with the president," he added. "He is doing a great job to ensure the future of Valencia is safe.

"The only way we can help to improve the situation is qualifying for the Champions League because the financial aspect of qualification will help our finances."

Soldado began his career at Real Madrid but failed to force his way into the first team and eventually left for Getafe, where he scored 33 goals in 66 matches before joining Valencia in 2010.