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Manchester City have signed up to join the Checkatrade Trophy next season.

They will be one of the Premier League giants to join the under-21s competition along with Football League clubs.

Chelsea were on board last season and a shake-up of the format and dates - especially around international breaks - has encouraged other members of the top six to get involved.

The full list of teams will be announced on Friday but City are now involved and Arsenal and Liverpool have also been invited.

(Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

The competition came in for criticism last season with many games involving young Premier League sides attracting very small crowds.

Coventry won the trophy by defeating Oxford in the final at Wembley.