Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Lennon set for Stadium of Light return | OneFootball

Former Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner and ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Everton winger Aaron Lennon are set to appear at the Stadium of Light in Ronaldinho & Friends. Sunderland Echo understands both will be involved.

The exhibition takes place on Monday, May 25, with a 5pm kick-off, 24 hours after the Black Cats’ final Premier League game of the season against Chelsea. Ronaldinho will face a UK Icons side captained by Sunderland favourite Jermain Defoe.

Brazilian greats expected include Fábio Rochemback, Maicon and Gilberto Silva. Confirmed names include Djibril Cissé, Kléberson, Heurelho Gomes, Manchester United twins Fábio and Rafael, Fernando and Anderson.

Former Tottenham and Hull City defender Michael Dawson is set to feature, and is now expected to be joined by Lennon, 39, and Bendtner, 38, all familiar with the Stadium of Light.

Bendtner’s 2011-12 loan at Sunderland brought 30 appearances and eight Premier League goals, the club’s best that season. He scored a Tyne-Wear derby penalty, struck in wins over Liverpool, Bolton and Queens Park Rangers, and netted in the 3-3 draw at Manchester City.

He later returned to Arsenal before spells with Juventus, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenborg and FC Copenhagen, and scored 30 goals in 81 Denmark appearances at major tournaments.

Further additions are expected as organisers finalise both squads. Tickets are on sale via Sunderland’s official website, from £25 for adults and £20 for concessions, with hospitality including access to Quinns Sports Bar and executive boxes.

Source: Sunderland Echo