Aidan Sezer knew he was joining a big club when he signed for Hull FC, but even he—a 230-game veteran across three NRL sides and two Super League—has been 'blown away' by the support so far.

Appointed captain of the club earlier this month following a voting process from the entire first-team squad, the 33-year-old is psyched up for his first run-out, knowing full well the pressure that comes with the territory.

But as an experienced half-back, he's also relaxed. Set to pull the jersey on for the first time at Castleford Tigers on Saturday, Sezer is geared up to lead the club into its new era, with the skipper responsibility one that brings out its own motivation and also pride.

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Speaking exclusively to Hull Live, Sezer said: "It's always a big moment. You don't actually understand the size of the club until you come in, embrace it, and be a part of it. That's one thing I've really been blown away by.

"We were giving away the season passes for the year ahead, and there were a couple of thousand out there just happy to be there and showing their support. For me as a player, it's awesome to see how loyal our fans are, and as much as we want to be successful, they'll be in our corner no matter what. It makes you very proud to be part of this club.

"I'm really excited. It's a huge honour, and it's a privilege to be captain of this club, especially with the captains that have come before me, to honour them and follow in their footsteps. It's about me doing the job now, performing, and representing the club to the best of my ability.

"But it means a lot, and it makes you feel good (getting voted by my teammates). Everyone just wants to be acknowledged by their peers, and it does make you feel respected within the group. I've really enjoyed my time here so far, and I'm looking forward to playing now."

Hull head to West Yorkshire for Joe Westerman's testimonial match for their one and only pre-season game. That itself has given players a spring in their step this week as they look to execute what they've been working on over the last couple of months. For Sezer, who signed on a two-year deal from Sydney-based Wests Tigers, it's been a long time coming.

"There's been a buzz at training this week," he continued. "Getting out there, you're looking forward to it. I guess it gets a bit repetitive, the preseason; you're there to do hard work and put your best foot forward; you've got to train, and it does get repetitive, especially when you've done 15/16 of them, so for us, we're like little kids now, and we're chomping at the bit now to get out there.

"For a lot of us, we'll be putting the jersey on for the first time and trying to put on a good show for our fans who travel, but also put out what we've been working on hard throughout the preseason, which is important.

"Wherever I've been in the game, there's a correlation between your trial form and the way that you start the year, at least most of the time. You can go into the trial games, perform well, and then you build confidence and get belief in your game. That's one thing we want to go over to Castleford and do.

"They'll want to put in a good showing on their home ground, and we'll do the same. It's a fresh start for the club. There are so many new blokes, and it's a new squad, but we want to win every game we're a part of. That's what we're about, and we'll be preparing for that."

Looking to test combinations and connections, Sezer will line up alongside Cade Cust, another new recruit, in the halves on Saturday. The duo have, by all accounts, worked well together this pre-season and are now gearing up to put their plays and shape into practice.

Sezer explained: "He's a ball of energy, Custy, and if I can complement him with control and getting us around the field and getting us to the points we need to, then he can open up his running game, which is his biggest attribute. He's dynamic, and the more we can get him on the footy, the better team we'll be. It's been good. He's a good lad, Custy, and it's been a pleasure working with him so far.

"There's always a responsibility being a half, and Custy knows that, but his biggest attribute again is his running game, and I guess if I can alleviate that as much as possible and get him to run the ball more, we'll be better for it.

"But across the board, there's a really good dynamic in the group with a lot of younger and older boys, but we're all one. There's no divide. I get along with all the kids and all of the older boys. I'm a bit of a dinosaur now. But it's been good. I've really enjoyed it."

And while Hull are in a good place now, Sezer knows tougher challenges are ahead. However, there's confidence that if they stick to the plan, good things will happen.

He added: "Time will tell—everyone at the time of the year is ambitious and will tell you they've trained so well. We're doing this and that, and we're the same, but only time will tell how good of a squad we are and how we'll work together. But if we replicate what we've been doing in training, and it's all based on hard work, then we'll be there or thereabouts."