European giants FC Porto are to make their return to compete at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup in July this year.

The Portuguese club reached the semi-finals of the Premier tournament in 2005 but lost to Chelsea on penalties.

They returned the following year and knocked Chelsea out of the BT Trophy competition on penalties at the semi-final stage.

The side went on to lift the silverware when they defeated Mexican side Cruz Azul 2-1 in the decider.

"The Porto side expressed high praise for the Milk Cup and while its Under-17 teams competed elsewhere over the past two summers, we are delighted that the club have sanctioned a return to Northern Ireland," said Milk Cup chairman Victor Leonard.

Also returning are Cruz Azul, the New Zealanders of Otago who have been regulars in recent years and Aspire, the Academy outfit from Qatar.

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