Italian giants AS Roma have been confirmed as the third and final side to play in next year’s inaugural edition of the International Champions Cup at the MCG.
Roma, currently second in Italy’s Serie A, join current European champions Real Madrid in a super-powered tournament from July 18-24.
The news was confirmed on the ICC’s Twitter feed on Wednesday morning.
A report in the Herald Sun on Wednesday revealed Roma are likely to kick-off the tournament against Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and their Madrid team-mates on July 18.
The Italians would back up and play Manchester City three days later before the EPL club take on Madrid to close the event on July 24.
It’s understood the event organisers – Nine Live and TLA Worldwide – have signed a four-year deal to host the ICC in Australia.
It could see clubs likes Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal head Down Under in coming years.
It was believed Inter Milan would be the third side to take part in the tournament but organisers decided to go with Roma.
The Roma side contains Italian legend Francesco Totti, who scored the famous penalty which knocked the Socceroos out of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Perth Glory teenager Daniel De Silva will also be a part of the Roma squad next season after he was signed by the club earlier this year before being loaned back to the Hyundai A-League club.
