Federico Fazio appointed Sevilla skipper

Federico Fazio has been appointed as the new captain of Sevilla.

The position had become vacant this summer following the departure of Ivan Rakitic, who joined Barcelona on a long-term contract.

The Spanish club have taken the decision to name Rakitic's replacement before the start of the season, with Fazio, who has been with the club since 2007, given the armband.

Fazio did not start last season in the Sevilla XI, but eventually proved to be one of their most influential players in the final six months of the campaign.