Raul Tamudo has agreed to stand down as Espanyol captain after speaking with coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The 31-year-old striker will be replaced by defender Daniel Jarque, who was the team's vice-captain last season.

Tamudo is a fans favourite having come through the Espanyol's youth system before becoming the club's highest ever goalscorer.

Pochettino denied Tamudo's demotion would tarnish that reputation, saying it was made with the player's best interests in mind.

"In a mutual agreement, I met with Raul in the last days and we reached an agreement for him to quit the captaincy and Dani Jarque to assume it in a natural manner," Pochettino told Mundo Deportivo.

"It is not important who decided this, but to say that it is an important decision for Raul and for ourselves.

"Tamudo is one of the three best players that have been part of the club's history of 109 years, he is the top scorer regardless of whether he carries the armband and he will always be an idol."