Noble handed West Ham armband

West Ham United have announced Mark Noble as their new club captain following the departure of veteran midfielder Kevin Nolan.

The 28-year is currently West Ham's longest serving player, having made 330 appearances for the club since graduating from their esteemed academy in 2004.

Noble thanked manager Slaven Bilic for the faith he's put in him as the midfielder prepares to lead the Hammers during their final season at Upton Park.

"When you are at a massive Barclays Premier League club like West Ham United playing in the best league in the world, to be captain and be brought up in the same area is something very special for me, for my family and the fans because they can relate to it," Noble wrote in his column for the Official West Ham Matchday Programme.

"I have stood in for Kevin Nolan in the past and, in my eyes, he has been a top captain for this Club. He has brought the dressing room together and done all the stuff on the inside that nobody sees.

"I've watched Kev and how he dealt with things and I've learned a lot from him and hopefully I can be as good a captain as he was."

Noble and his troops will be looking for their third victory this season as they face off against Newcastle United on Monday after impressive victories against Arsenal and Liverpool in the early stages on the campaign.