Real to come to Ireland

The stars of Real Madrid will be heading to Ireland next month for pre-season training, it was confirmed today.

Real's full senior squad, under new coach Manuel Pellegrini, will spend ten days at Kildare's Carton House, from July 13 to 22.

It remains to be seen whether Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo - whom Real are currently attempting to secure from Man Utd for a record £80m - will be part of the Madrid lineup to visit Kildare.

The team will play one game during their Ireland trip, although details of their opponents are yet to be confirmed.

The news was announced today by Irish sports management company Platinum One, which has been appointed by Real as its partner for the team's pre-season preparations.

"Within the past few weeks negotiations for the 10-day visit of the world’s biggest football club were concluded in Madrid," said a statement from the company, which in 2007 and 2008 managed the preseason programme of FC Barcelona in Scotland.