Frankfurt, 3 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Joshua Kimmich has been appointed German national team captain in succession of Ilkay Gündogan who has ended his international career, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Monday.

The Bayern Munich defender and midfielder Kimmich is the most capped player in team after Gündogan, his predecessor Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos are no longer part of it.

Kimmich, 29, has played 91 games for Germany since a debut in 2016. He was vice-captain at the recent Euro 2024 home tournament.

Nagelsmann said that Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and Arsenal forward Kai Havertz are the vice-captains.

"We have found a good mix with the three," Nagelsmann said. "They are responsible for how we present ourselves."

The coach was speaking as Germany started preparations for Nations League matches on Saturday against Hungary and three days later in the Netherlands.

They are the first games since Germany lost against eventual champions Spain in the Euro quarter-finals, and also the start of preparations for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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