The Newcastle Knights are excited to announce halfback Trent Hodkinson will captain the Club in 2017.

The most experienced player at the Knights, Hodkinson has played 139 first grade matches and also made the most appearances for the Knights last season with 23.

โ€œTrent continues to provide strong leadership on and off the field at our Club,โ€ coach Nathan Brown said of the appointment.

โ€œWe have a young squad and his experience at both club and representative level make him a good fit to be captain.โ€

Since arriving at the Club late in 2015, Hodkinson has also made a big contribution to the Newcastle community with his Tren7s Kick for Kids initiative and multiple ambassadorial roles.

โ€œIt is just not about on-field for Trent, he is held in high esteem in the local community,โ€ Brown said of the 28-year-old.

โ€œTrent is most certainly a strong role model for our younger players, and demonstrates the strong link between the Knights and the community.โ€

Hodkinson is part of a leadership group of Jamie Buhrer, Dane Gagai, Rory Kostjasyn, Sione Mataโ€™utia and Peter Mataโ€™utia.