Chelsea on Monday announced that they will play a glamour friendly against Premier League rivals Manchester City at New York's Yankee Stadium in May.
The Blues were already scheduled to fly to the United States to take on City at St Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium home on May 23 but have now confirmed a second clash with Roberto Mancini's men on May 25.
The two meetings are pencilled in for the end of a gruelling season for Chelsea, who are on course to play 70 competitive matches this term if they advance to the Europa League and FA Cup finals.
Chelsea face City in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley and take on Rubin Kazan in the Europa League quarter-final second leg on Thursday.
The west London club, winners of the Champions League last season, have prior experience of the Yankees' stadium after their 1-1 friendly draw against Paris Saint German at the Bronx venue in July 2012.
"The club is excited to be playing a double-header in the US this May and thrilled to be returning to Yankee Stadium," said Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay.
"We were delighted to take part in the first ever football game there, and we received sensational support in what was a sea of blue fans inside and outside the stadium that day.
"Spending the week in St Louis and New York also provides a great opportunity for the club to reconnect with our US fans before we head to Asia in July for pre-season.
"America has long been an important place for Chelsea Football Club, and we have seen first-hand the continued rise of the game's popularity."
Source: AFP
