New Sydney FC captain Alex Wilkinson says the club has been able to move forward after Alex Brosque's retirement and is ready to defend its A-League title.
Wilkinson has worn the armband in the past but has been named club captain ahead of the upcoming season.
"For me it's the biggest club in the league and for me it also happens to be my hometown club," Wilkinson told AAP.
"I grew up in Sydney and played all my junior football in Sydney so to be able to now captain your hometown club is a huge honour and something I'm very proud of."
Wilkinson said while it had initially been strange not having Brosque around the club, the players had quickly adjusted.
"Obviously he's been around the club a long time and was captain for a number of years as well and the success that he had as a captain has been second-to-none at the club," Wilkinson said.
"So there was a big hole when he left obviously on the pitch but off the pitch as well with his his personality as well."
The Sky Blues finished second in the league last season and went on to win the championship and Wilkinson said his teammates were well aware they needed to continue to improve to avoid a drop-off.
"Every year we find that we've got a target on our backs and probably even more this year after winning the grand final," Wilkinson said.
"So I think when you play for a successful club there's pressure every week no matter how you're going - it just adds that little bit more I suppose when you've been successful.
"So everyone's pretty used to that now and we're well aware that we need to get better from last year and improve in order to be successful again this year."