Gold Coast have named experienced New Zealand international Kevin Proctor as their captain for the NRL 2020 season.

Proctor had previously been the Titans captain in 2017 but had to give up the role after being caught up in a cocaine bust in Canberra while on international duty with the Kiwis.

The 240-game veteran, who turned 31 on Friday, admitted he never expected to regain the captaincy after the Canberra incident.

“I never thought I’d be in this position again, and it is a super proud moment,” he said.

“I have put a lot of hard work in personally and fixed a few things. I’m really grateful.”

Titans coach Justin Holbrook said the decision to go with the ex-Melbourne Storm player was a “no-brainer” with Ryan James sidelined for the season after another serious knee injury.

“We had to make a different decision once Ryan went down, I hadn’t even thought about the captaincy prior to that,” Holbrook said.

“Kevin has got great leadership and the way he goes about it, the way he trains and the way he plays, he’s been consistent for a long time with he plays and that’s what you want in a leader.”

James will take on an off-field ambassadorial role as the Titans’ club captain.