Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam will visit the Stadium of Light for the first time since its inauguration in 1997 to play Sunderland in a pre season friendly. The game, scheduled to be played on Sunday, August 3, is part of the club's celebration plans for the 35th anniversary of its historic 1973 FA Cup win over Leeds. That game, settled by Ian Portefield's goal made the Black Cats the second Division Two side to win the trophy after West Bromwich Albion.

Ajax finished second in the Eredivisie behind long time rivals PSV Eindhoven. Marco Van Basten is set to take up a coaching role at the club after Euro 2008.

Before the Ajax friendly, Sunderland will travel to Portugal to play in the Albufeira Cup, where they will clash against Vitoria de Setubal and Sporting Lisbon. After that, manager Roy Keane will return to his first English club, when the Cats travel to Nottingham Forest. That game will be played on July 30.