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

Sunderland Echo understands that Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Lennon are set to appear at the Stadium of Light for the Ronaldinho & Friends match.

Sunderland host the exhibition on Monday, May 25, kick-off 5pm, 24 hours after their final Premier League game against Chelsea. Ronaldinho will captain former stars against a UK Icons side led by Jermain Defoe.

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

Former Tottenham and Hull defender Michael Dawson is set to feature, with Lennon, 39, and Bendtner, 38, also expected. All three have played at the Stadium of Light multiple times.

Bendtner spent 2011-12 on loan at Sunderland, making 30 appearances and finishing as their top Premier League scorer with eight. He struck a Tyne-Wear derby penalty against Newcastle, scored in wins over Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers, and in the 3-3 draw at Manchester City.

After Wearside he returned to Arsenal, then played for Juventus, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenborg and FC Copenhagen. For Denmark he scored 30 goals in 81 senior internationals and featured at major tournaments.

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

Source: Sunderland Echo