Chelsea to play in Hong Kong

Hong Kong club Kitchee will host the Barclays Asia Trophy in July, the only Premier League-affiliated competition held outside England.

Kitchee will welcome 2009/10 champions Chelsea, as well as Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers for the biennial pre-season tournament, which kicks off on July 27.

Matches are set to take place in the Hong Kong Stadium, with a final to determine the winner and a playoff for third place.

Kitchee play Chelsea, while Villa take on Blackburn, who could lose their top-flight status if results on the final day of the Premier League season go against them.

“It is exciting to think that the next stop for the Barclays Premier League after the end of the season on Sunday is Hong Kong,” Kitchee chairman Ken Ng said.

“For Kitchee it was fantastic to win our first league title in 47 years. It is a wonderful bonus for us now to be playing Chelsea.”

“Our supporters, and indeed all football fans in Hong Kong, will be looking forward to see us lining up against world famous stars like Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and John Terry.”

“I’m sure they will get both a warm Hong Kong welcome and a competitive game on July 27.”