Boyd will be anointed in the Broncos’ board room this morning by chief executive Paul White and head coach Wayne Bennett.

It is a massive turnaround for the fullback after formerly having a frosty relationship with the media.

He sought help for depression at the end of 2014.

“Darius has never made a bigger impact on the field than he does today, and that is also true for what he does off the field,” said Broncos’ chief executive Paul White.

“His work ethic and leadership are widely admired here at the Broncos, and Darius has been on a journey that has brought him to this point.

“We are very proud that he started his career at this club and now finds himself as the captain of the Broncos.

“We will support his leadership in every way possible, and wish him and his family congratulations on this wonderful honour.”

Boyd said he was excited at the prospect of leading the Broncos – even if it was never something he had dreamed would happen.

“To be honest this is a day that I never thought would come along,” he said.

“If you would have told me a decade ago that I would captain the Brisbane Broncos I would have said you didn’t know what you were talking about.

“But now the time has come I feel very honoured to be given this role, and aim to do my very best to live up to the legacies of the captains that have come before me.”