He takes over from Michael Valkanis, who has just recovered from a knee reconstruction, which sidelined him since September last year.

Dodd has captained the team in The Reds’ opening two 2008 Pre-Season Cup matches and after leading United on the field through a successful AFC Champions League Group Stage campaign, he was given the nod to wear the captain’s armband.

Captaining United is not new for Dodd, who was made vice-captain just over 12 months ago, but stepped into the main job for 11 of The Reds’ A-League games last season after injuries to Valkanis and interim captain Paul Agostino.

nited Coach Aurelio Vidmar made the announcement after training today, stating that he believes the 28-year-old midfielder has matured as a player and a leader, and has demonstrated the necessary qualities to lead The Reds going forward.

He said: "Travis was vice-captain last year and he probably got thrown into the deep end with the injuries, so by the time the Asian Champions League finished, he had certainly improved in many aspects of what it takes to be a captain.

“He’s prepared to do the work and learn from people like Michael (Valkanis), who is an extremely good leader, and I think Travis has shown that he has those qualities.”

Vidmar was Adelaide United’s inaugural captain in the old NSL, with Ross Aloisi taking over as the club’s first Hyundai A-League captain and then Valkanis acquiring the role prior to the 2007/08 season.

Now Dodd takes the position, and he has shown in the times he has been called upon to lead the team on the field, that he can handle the responsibilities of the role.

He said: "It is a huge honour. It’s a big responsibility now to have it full time and it’s something I’m looking forward to."

Dodd becomes just the second Indigenous player to captain his team in the Hyundai A-League, following Jade North at the Newcastle Jets, and he says the achievement is something he is proud of.

“There haven’t been a lot of Indigenous leaders in sporting codes, so to have myself and Jade (North) at the peak of our games, it’s fantastic for not only the league but also the Indigenous community,” Dodd said.

Since beginning his Adelaide United career in April 2005, Dodd has made 98 appearances for the club in all competitions leading up to Saturday’s Pre-Season Cup match against Perth Glory, scoring a total of 21 goals.

He is also a capped Socceroo, having made a memorable debut in an Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait in 2006, where he scored the game’s opening goal before setting up the other in a 2-0 result.

Vidmar also named Lucas Pantelis as the club’s Vice-Captain for the upcoming season.

“The 2006/07 season was very tough because I was out for the whole year but to come back and do what I did I was very proud and honoured to have done that, and now to get the vice-captaincy is just a huge honour and I’m really rapt about it,” Pantelis said.

As Adelaide United prepare for their opening game of the A-League season against Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium on August 17, Vidmar believes Dodd and Pantelis have the potential to lead United for a considerable time yet.

He said: "These are the type of people we want to lead the club in the future and I can’t see why they can’t be here for many more years to come."