French goalkeeper Mike Maignan has been named AC Milan’s full-time captain, becoming the first non-Italian to wear the armband in 64 years, Afrosport reports.
He follows in the footsteps of former Sweden international Nils Liedholm, who last captained the Rossoneri back in 1961.
Liedholm spent 12 years at the club as a player, winning six trophies — including four Serie A titles — and later returned as manager on three occasions, guiding Milan to another league title in the 1978–79 season.
Maignan joined Milan from Lille in July 2021 for €15 million and has since made 163 appearances for the club, helping them to one Serie A title and a Supercoppa Italiana.
The 30-year-old featured in 37 league matches last season, keeping 13 clean sheets. However, it was a frustrating campaign for Milan overall, as they finished eighth in Serie A and failed to qualify for European competition.
With Italian coach Massimiliano Allegri now in charge, Milan will be hoping to get back to the top and are set to kick off the new season at home against Cremonese on 23 August.
