Blades to participate in pre-season tournament in Malta

Plans to support Sheffield United’s pre-season preparations in Malta will see the club participate in a triangular tournament on July 16.

The tournament will involve 45 minute round-robin games between United and two leading Maltese Premier League sides.

As a number of Maltese teams will be involved in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, Sheffield United’s opposition for the triangular tournament will be decided at the end of this month, after the respective UEFA draws are announced on June 21.

The Blades have reverted to hosting the tournament at the ground of Maltese Premier side Hibernians.

All eyes will be fixed on United’s latest signing Daniel Bogdanovic, who joins the club on July 1.

With the Blades beating a host of clubs in capturing the signature of the Maltese international striker, the pre-season trip to Malta will present Bogdanovic with an early taste of action wearing the famous red and white shirt of United.

Mike Farnan, group executive director at Sheffield United and a leading figurehead behind the plans for the tour, said:

“Our close relationship with the Malta Tourism Authority will help make this a memorable occasion for both Blades fans and the people of Malta. Seeing the likes of Bogdanovic playing for United against leading Maltese Premier League teams will prove to be one of the many highlights of the tour.”