Cardiff City captain Mark Hudson has claimed that leading the Welsh outfit into the new Premier League season will be the "highlight" of his career.

The 31-year-old, who recently insisted that the Bluebirds' squad was strong enough for the Premier League, also revealed that the team are confident of impressing next season.

"Being captain of Cardiff City in their first Premier League season is going to make me so proud, the highlight of my career so far. The fixtures are out. Cardiff City are a Premier League club and that can sink in at last," he told reporters at a press conference.

"But although we all enjoyed winning the title, now it's back to business. Every player will relish what's ahead of us but we have such a challenge ahead – and our aim from day one is to secure our place at Premier League level for a second season. That's the target – and one we believe we can achieve."

Cardiff will face West Ham United on the opening weekend of the season.