Real Madrid will visit Stadium MK in April to take on MK Dons’ Under-15s in the annual Gwen and Jim Mann Academy Challenge Match sponsored by Kinship Logistics.
The Young Dons will welcome the Spanish giants to Milton Keynes on Sunday 29th April, the day after the first-team’s final home fixture of the campaign. Kick-off is set for 12 noon.
The match will provide supporters with a chance to see not only some of the brightest young talents in the Dons’ Academy but also in world football.
Madrid’s Academy – La Fábrica – is famed for producing the Raúl, Guti, Iker Casillas, Esteban Cambiasso, Samuel Eto'o, and more recently Juan Mata, Álvaro Morata, José Callejón and Lucas Vázquez.
Interim Academy Manager Simon Dwight said: “The Academy showcase fixture has been a calendar event for many seasons now and it has seen the reputable sides from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester Utd, Manchester City and Arsenal as well as, recently, Barcelona, bring their brightest young talent to Stadium MK.
“The game is about enabling the players to acclimatise to the stadium where they watch their first-team play. It is a way of preparing them for bigger games and it is also a way of showcasing the Academy philosophy and giving the local community a chance to see some potential stars for the future.”
Lewis Higgs, Head Coach of the Under-15s, added: “We have a great staff in the Academy, with a wealth of experience at the Club. It has been a collaborative effort between a number of people to create the opportunity to invite Real Madrid to Milton Keynes.
“It is an invite that has been a few months in the making and we are delighted to provide this for both sets of players. I’d like to thank all those involved in putting this invite together for the players.
“The boys have been working hard in training and games all season, knowing that this type of fixture was being arranged for them. The fixture is one highlight in our games programme and we know we’ll need to be prepared for a tough game. We will have a game plan that will focus on our style of play its impact on the opposition.
“Success for us in the game doesn’t rest on the scoreline. We want to remain competitive throughout the game and showcase the MK Dons philosophy to the best of our ability. Success for us will also be filling Stadium MK with as many fans as possible, to give the players the best experience we can.”
Current members of the Academy Supporters’ Draw and those who have signed up for 2018/19 will be able to book a ticket for FREE by visiting the Box Office at Stadium MK/kiosk at centre:mk or by calling 0333 200 5343.
General sale prices for this exciting, must-watch fixture are priced at £5 adults and £1 under-18s.
Seating is unreserved and tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.