Man City announce first pre-season trip to Japan to play sister club Yokohama F Marinos

The two City Football Group clubs will meet in one of Pep Guardiola’s side’s pre-season fixtures in summer 2019

Manchester City will make a first visit to Japan this summer after announcing a pre-season match against Yokohama F. Marinos in July.

City will take on Yokohama, another member of the City Football Group, at the Nissan Stadium on 27 July as part of a tour of Asia. Further matches will be announced in due course.

Yokohama chief executive Ryoji Kurosawa said: "It is a great pleasure to announce that Yokohama F. Marinos is playing a friendly against Premier League champions, Manchester City, this summer.

"I am also delighted at this opportunity because we are welcoming City, sister club of Yokohama F. Marinos, to Japan for the first time of the club's history.

"The Club has a passionate fanbase there and we are excited at the prospect of playing in front of these fans for the first time.

"With the F. Marinos' attacking style of play, I truly believe this head-to-head will be an exciting one for the supporters of the both clubs and wider Japanese football fans."

Club COO Omar Berrada added: "We are delighted to announce Manchester City's first ever match in Japan. The club has a passionate fan base there and we are excited at the prospect of playing in front of these fans for the first time.

"This will also be a special moment for City Football Group as Manchester City and Yokohama F. Marinos come together to play each other in a match that will provide Pep (Guardiola) and his team with great preparation for the upcoming season."

PA