U’s announce exciting home friendly against Italian side

OXFORD United will welcome Italian side Palermo to the Kassam Stadium in what will be United’s final pre-season friendly of the summer.

The fixture will take place on August 3, with a 3pm kick-off. The U’s will then kick-start their Sky Bet Championship campaign at home to Norwich City the following weekend on August 10.

Palermo currently ply their trade in Serie B, and in July 2022, had a majority stake acquired by City Football Group, which operates a host of clubs, including Manchester City.

United head coach Des Buckingham has previously worked at City Football Group sides Melbourne City and Mumbai City.

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Palermo appointed Alessio Dionisi as their new first team coach earlier this month, with his current squad including forward Roberto Insigne, the younger brother of former Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne.

Four Palermo players were in the Italy squad which won the 2006 World Cup, with those being defenders Andrea Barzagli, Fabio Grosso and Cristian Zaccardo, and midfielder Simone Barone.

Other former notable Palermo players include Edinson Cavani, Paulo Dybala, Javier Pastore and Luca Toni.

All ticket information for the friendly will be announced in due course.

The U’s have already announced they will take on Oxford City at Court Place Farm on July 19, before a behind closed doors friendly with League One side Exeter City five days later. United will then travel to Mansfield Town on July 27.