O’Dea made club captain as Kerr signs on until 2019

DUNDEE: Young defender extends contract after being named vice-captain

Dundee have announced that boss Neil McCann has made Darren O’Dea the new club captain.

The Irish centre-half wore the skipper’s armband last season with James McPake the club captain.

However, with McPake still making his way back from a devastating knee injury, O’Dea has now taken on the mantle with 21-year-old Cammy Kerr – who yesterday put pen to paper on a contract extension until 2019 – appointed as his vice-captain.

Kerr made his Dundee debut in 2014 before spending two spells on loan at Peterhead.

He returned to make his first Premiership start in a 2-1 derby win over Dundee United and went from strength to strength last season.

In a statement, the club said: “Neil McCann has today announced the appointed of Darren O’Dea as the new captain of Dundee, with Cammy Kerr as vice-captain.

“Darren has been one of the leaders in the dressing-room since he joined the club in January 2016, captaining the side on a number of occasions.

“With James McPake currently recovering from injury the decision was made to pass the captaincy over to Darren to allow him to fully concentrate on his rehabilitation.

“The appointment of Cammy as vice-captain comes after a very impressive season for the 21-year-old where he made the right-back spot his own. Cammy has been with the club since a very young age and is a credit to the club on and off the park.”

O’Dea said: “It’s a great honour for me, one of the highlights of my career. I’d like to thank the gaffer for making me captain. My role won’t change too much as I’ve always had responsibility in the team anyway.

“We already have a couple of leaders in the dressing room and part of my role will be to bring out more leaders while also helping Cammy and the other younger players.

“I’m delighted for Cammy to be made vice-captain. He deserves it after the progression he has made over the last 18 months.”

Meanwhile, Dundee have been linked with a move for former Blackpool skipper Tom Aldred.

The 26-year-old central defender is a free agent after leaving the Seasiders at the end of last season.

Gareth Jennings. Cammy Kerr has been rewarded for his consistency with a new contract and the vice-captaincy role.