Kent have appointed batsman Sam Northeast as club captain for the 2016 season, replacing Rob Key.

The 25-year-old filled in as skipper for much of 2015 when Key was out of the first-team, and he scored over 2,000 runs in al competitions.

"It's a very special moment and I am extremely honoured," Northeast told BBC Radio Kent.

"I've had a good mentor in Rob Key and he did a fantastic job for many years. Hopefully I can emulate his success."

Key spent nine of the past 10 years as Kent captain, with spinner James Tredwell leading the side in 2013.

Northeast came through Kent's academy andsigned a new "long-term" contract at the St Lawrence Ground earlier this summer.

The right-hander, who has been vice-captain since late 2013, was named in theProfessional Cricketers' Association's team of the year on Tuesday.

"The vice-captaincy role was massive for me," Northeast added.

"It helped me to get an insight of how the club is run and get a taste of it before taking it on fully.

"Rob and I have got a lot of similar ways in which we view the game. This winter is where I can put my own print on it.

"I will sit down with [director of cricket] Jimmy Adams, put our thoughts together and come up with a plan. We can start delivering on the talent we have got."

Kent finished seventh in Division Two of the Championship this summer, but reached the knockout stage of both limited-overs competitions, before losing in the quarter-finals.