BERLIN -- Bayern Munich midfielder Jens Jeremies will captain Germany when they play Bulgaria in a friendly soccer international today, Germany Coach Rudi Voeller said on Tuesday.

Jeremies, 28, will take over the armband from Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who has pulled out of the game in Sofia because of a knee injury, Reuters reported.

"Jens is the most capped player in the squad and this is also a way to thank him for his behavior and performances at the World Cup," Voeller said before his team's departure for Bulgaria.

In addition to Kahn, Voeller will be without Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann and Bayer Leverkusen striker Oliver Neuville for Germany's first outing since their 2-0 defeat to Brazil in the World Cup final on June 30.