Celtic, Olympique de Marseille and Southampton will provide the glittering opposition in a prestigious friendly tournament at Mariners Park this summer.

The four-team competition, which also includes host club South Shields, will be held between Friday, July 27 and Sunday, July 29.

In a huge coup, three of the most recognisable clubs in European football will be visiting Mariners Park.

The South Shields FC International Tournament will get underway on July 27, when Scottish giants Celtic take on French side Marseille in a 7.30pm kick-off.

South Shields will pit their wits against Southampton at 3pm the following day, before the tournament draws to a close with a third place play-off at 1pm on July 29, and a final at 5pm the same day.

South Shields FC Chairman Geoff Thompson said: “We are delighted to reveal details of the South Shields FC International Tournament.

“To attract clubs of the size of Celtic, Marseille and Southampton to Mariners Park is a massive coup for the club and I’m sure it will generate a lot of excitement with our supporters.

“It promises to be a festival of football as we make new friends from clubs we would once never have even dreamt of coming up against.

“We also look forward to welcoming supporters of each of the three clubs to Mariners Park, where there is sure to be a friendly atmosphere which all of the family will enjoy.

“It’s not every day that clubs of this stature come to Mariners Park so we’re sure our own fans will also make the most of it.

“We’re confident it will a memorable weekend for all connected with the club.”

Celtic, Marseille and Southampton will each be bringing their Under-23s side to participate in the tournament.

South Shields FC Joint Manager Lee Picton said: “The tournament at Mariners Park will provide a really high level of tactical and physical test for the squad, which will be vital in order to prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead next season.

“We will be looking at quite a high number of new players within our squad and it will be really interesting for myself and Graham (Fenton) to see how they, along with our returning players of course, deal with those challenges.”

Tickets for the matches on the Friday and Saturday will cost £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £3 for under-16s.

Family tickets – which will admit two adults and two under-16s – for each of those days will be priced at £22.

Tickets for the final day of the tournament, which will gain supporters entry to both the third place play-off and final, will be £15 for adults, £12 for concessions and £5 for under-16s.

A family ticket for the Sunday – again admitting two adults and two under-16s – will cost £33.

A weekend ticket, which will provide access to all four matches across the three days, will be available at a cost of £30 for adults, £24 for concessions and £9 for under-16s.

Details on how to buy tickets will be announced soon.

Anyone interested in booking hospitality or sponsorship for the tournament can contact South Shields FC Commercial Director David Mitchell via email at david.mitchell@southshieldsfc. co.uk or by calling 0191 454 7800.

As well as the tournament, the club is pleased to confirm two more friendlies which will be held this summer.

Blyth Spartans will visit Mariners Park for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, July 21, while Shields are away to Cleethorpes Town on Saturday, August 11.

Further fixtures will be announced in due course.