Chelsea to host Real Sociedad in pre-season friendly on 15 August

Chelsea will face Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 15 August in a pre-season friendly, the club announced on 21 July. The match will serve as Xabi Alonso's first home game as Chelsea manager.

The fixture follows Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia and is the final preparation before the Premier League season opener the following weekend.

Real Sociedad hold particular significance for Alonso — the Spanish club is where he began his professional playing career, serving as club captain and finishing as league runners-up before moving to England.

Chelsea and Real Sociedad have not met in a competitive match, though the two sides did face each other in a pre-season fixture at Stamford Bridge 12 years ago. Diego Costa, freshly signed at the time, scored both goals in a 2-0 Chelsea win.

Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey last season, with Spain's World Cup-winning centre-forward Mikel Oyarzabal as the focal point of their attack. Kick-off on 15 August is scheduled for 2pm.

The match will be streamed live on CFC+ in all territories except Spain. Ticket information has yet to be announced.