Football: Arsenal, Everton, Stoke set for Singapore

SINGAPORE - Arsenal, Everton and Stoke City will play the Asia Trophy held in Singapore for the first time this year as part of their Premier League pre-season, organisers said on Wednesday.

The English clubs will be joined by a Singapore Select XI, comprised mainly of national team players, in the knock-out tournament held on July 15 and 18.

"We are very excited to bring the Barclays Asia Trophy to Singapore for the first time," Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said in a statement.

FA Cup holders Arsenal and the Potters will be competing in the biennial tournament for the first time, while Everton appear for the first time since the 2005 edition in Bangkok.

This year's Asia Trophy is timed to coincide with celebrations marking Singapore's 50th year of independence from British colonial rule in August.

Manchester City won the last edition in 2013 in Hong Kong. The Singapore tournament will be held at the 55,000-seat National Stadium, which opened last year.

The English clubs are expected to bring their first-team squads as they make preparations for the new Premier League season, which begins on August 8.