Terry appointed England captain

Fabio Capello chose John Terry over Rio Ferdinand

England coach Fabio Capello has named Chelsea's John Terry as his captain.

Defender Terry, 27, who succeeded David Beckham as skipper after the 2006 World Cup, was given the nod ahead of Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand.

The Chelsea skipper, who has won 44 England caps, begins his second stint as captain in Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley.

"I think everybody realises it means the world to me to retain the armband," said Terry.

"To get the armband back is a huge achievement for me.

"I heard about an hour before the news conference, just after training. The manager called the whole squad together and told us as a whole.

The big personality of John was the reason I chose him but Rio is very important to the team England coach Fabio Capello

"For me to get it above the likes of Rio Ferdinand and the other players in the squad is a great honour."

Terry admitted he was a little surprised when Capello selected him ahead of Ferdinand.

"I'd never given up on the armband and never will do," he stated.

"I'd heard the whispers that Rio had got the armband so I was a little bit shocked but I've got to make the most of it."

Terry added: "My target now is to qualify for the World Cup and that's the aim going forward."

Capello revealed Terry's "big personality" was the deciding factor.

"Rio, when he was captain, played very well - the same level as John," said the Italian.

"It was not easy for me to choose because they are very good players.

"The big personality of John was the reason I chose John but Rio is very important to the team."

FOOTBALL BLOG Terry is very much a leader from the front, whereas Ferdinand would have been more of a captain by example BBC Sport's Phil McNulty

Ferdinand has been named as vice-captain of the national team.

England's World Cup qualifying campaign begins in September, with ties against Andorra in Barcelona and Croatia in Zagreb.

Terry was the captain under former coach Steve McClaren as England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

The centre-half was an inspirational figure for Chelsea during the 2007-08 campaign, although the season ended in disappointment.

Chelsea finished as runners-up in the battle for the Premier League title and Terry agonisingly missed a penalty in May's Champions League final shoot-out that would have given the Blues the trophy at the expense of eventual winners Manchester United.

Capello has taken his time to choose who will wear the armband on a permanent basis, the decision coming eight months after he was appointed as McClaren's replacement.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard captained the side in Capello's first friendly against Switzerland, Ferdinand for the defeat in France, Terry for the 2-0 win over the United States and David Beckham for the game against Trinidad and Tobago in June.

The Italian said all along he was trying out the players in the role and would make a permanent choice in time for the World Cup qualifiers.