De Jong, nicknamed ‘The Enforcer’ was a huge City favourite during his four years with the club.
He made 137 appearances between 2008 and 2012 and was an integral part of the side that won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League in 2012.
The Dutch midfielder will now take part in the world’s biggest charity football match on Saturday 4 September 2021 – the first time the match has taken place on a Saturday – at the home of the Premier League Champions.
City Academy graduate and fan favourite Micah Richards will be amongst the star-studded line-up, alongside former City goalkeepers David Seaman and David James.
SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF 2021 | BUY TICKETS
The squads are further strengthened by a number of football stars including Kelly Smith, Roberto Carlos, Patrice Evra, Ashley Cole, Emile Heskey, Alex Scott, Fara Williams, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney.
Other celebrities include Usain Bolt, Sir Mo Farah, Olly Murs, James Arthur, Tom Grennan, Mark Wright, Paddy McGuinness, Ore Oduba, Kem Cetinay, Roman Kemp, Liv Cook, Chunkz and Maya Jama as a pundit.
Former City and United heroes Richards and Neville have already engaged in some friendly banter!
“Usain Bolt running at Gary Neville? Rooney out of retirement? What more do you want?!” asked Richards.
“This is going to be so good! I can’t wait to see all the lads run out at the Etihad for such a great cause.
“The line-up is looking really strong and let me tell you – there are even more surprises to come!”
Gary Neville joked: “Just when I thought my days of being booed by City fans had passed!
“I’m just hoping that my hamstrings hold out for more than five minutes, to be honest... I just need to get through the next few months without Micah Richards sounding off in my ear too much.”
The England vs. Soccer Aid World XI FC clash marks the tenth match in its 15-year history. Child tickets start from £10, adults from £20 and a family of four can attend the anniversary game from £60.
Danny Wilson, Managing Director, Manchester City Operations, said: “We are delighted to be hosting Soccer Aid at the Etihad Stadium for the very first time.
“Soccer Aid is recognised as the world’s biggest charity football match and has made a significant contribution to UNICEF’s charitable programmes since it was founded.
“We are proud to be playing our part to support an event with such a good cause and we look forward an exciting matchday with a fantastic line-up of players on each team.”
Since 2006 – when UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams founded the concept – Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised more than £47m to help give children all over the world a childhood full of play.
As many countries celebrate coming out of lockdown, the COVID-19 crisis is still making life for many vulnerable children even tougher.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2020 raised a record breaking £9.3m. This year, Soccer Aid for UNICEF is bringing play back.
The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF deliver 2billion COVID-19 vaccines to frontline healthcare workers, social workers and teachers around the world – the people children rely on – and help children get back to school, beat malnutrition, and get the healthcare they need today and long after the crisis is over.
It’s us against COVID-19 for every child, everywhere.
The Soccer Aid for UNICEF excitement does not stop with the football. This year, there will be a full Soccer Aid for UNICEF week across ITV and STV in the lead up to the match, featuring new shows, special takeovers and great prizes to be won.
With its biggest-ever goal of going up against COVID-19 for children everywhere, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has never been bigger. Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months.
Tickets for the game are on sale now via www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets
