by Matt Newsum

Ajax have hosted the tournament since 1999

Sunderland's pre-season activities this summer have been boosted by an invitation from Dutch side Ajax to compete in the Amsterdam Tournament alongside European giants Benfica and Atletico Madrid in July.

Prior to heading out to the Netherlands, Sunderland are in action closer to home against Darlington, and prepare for their Dutch jaunt with a training camp in Portugal, where they face minnows Portimonense.

Following the Amsterdam Tournament, Sunderland then travel north of the border for matches against Scottish Premier League runners-up Celtic and Europa League qualifiers Hearts, and also take on Championship newcomers Peterborough.

But who will be the men to watch?

BBC Sport tips the players to look out for from each of the clubs in action.

Foster has tied himself to Darlington despite the club's administration issues

Steve Foster is a lionhearted lower-league centre-back, strong, loyal and good in the air, and has served Darlington with gusto since linking up with former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney during his spell at the club in May 2007.

The 29-year-old, not to be confused with his headband-donning England international namesake of the 1980s, played a big role in Rovers' progress through the divisions, then quit the South Yorkshire side to join Scunthorpe, before linking up with Penney's revolution at the Arena.

As captain Foster led his side to the League Two play-offs, and then was a huge presence in stabilising the club when administration derailed the Quakers' play-off bid last season.

Despite the departures of team-mates such as Neil Austin, Ryan Valentine and Pawel Abbott, the Mansfield-born defender has shown further loyalty by committing himself to Colin Todd's squad for the 2009-10 season.

Loureiro has six Portugal caps - all from Luiz Felipe Scolari

Former Portugal international midfielder Luis Loureiro is probably the best-known player in the Portimonense side, but his career has stalled somewhat since the middle of the decade.

At Gil Vicente, he impressed then-Portugal coach - and former Chelsea boss - Luiz Felipe Scolari enough to give him six caps during 2003, and earned himself a move to Sporting Lisbon which failed.

He also enjoyed spells in Russia with Dynamo Moscow, and in Cyprus with Anorthosis Famagusta.

Aimar has 51 caps for Argentina

Just a few years ago, Benfica playmaker Pablo Aimar was rated as one of the most desirable properties in European football.

The then-Valencia midfielder was a pacy, tricky asset with tremendous vision, and showed his worth to Los Che, helping them to a La Liga title and the Uefa Cup during his spell.

Injuries and loss of form forced him out to Real Zaragoza, where even his mesmeric talent could not save them from the drop as they lost their La Liga status.

However, Benfica came to his rescue and since Aimar has begun to rediscover the magic touch which brought him Argentinian international honours.

Aguero is engaged to Maradona's daughter

Argentinian football fans are clearly spoilt. Not only do they have the unbelievable talent of Barcelona winger Lionel Messi in their ranks, but they also have the immensely gifted Sergio Aguero - known as 'Kun' - in their side as well.

Aguero is different to Messi, yet is equally effective. While Messi is a direct, dribbling wide-man, Aguero is a speedy, deadly finisher, and the bulk of his work is done in the opposition penalty area.

He has scored 42 goals in 112 games, forming a productive partnership with Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan at the Vicente Calderon.

One admirer is Argentine national coach Diego Maradona - so much so that he allowed the 21-year-old to propose to his daughter, and father her child.

Brown joined Celtic for �4.4m from rivals Hibernian

Celtic's inability to win the Scottish Premier League last season persuaded Gordon Strachan to quit his post as manager, but one of the biggest plus points of his five-year reign was to bring midfielder Scott Brown to the club.

Signed for £4.4m from Hibernian in May 2007, Brown has proven to be a steal, picking up team and individual honours during his time at Celtic Park, including the players' player of the year last season.

A box-to-box midfielder, he is as comfortable dislodging the ball from an opponent as he is launching an attack from deep, and alongside Barry Robson has formed a formidable presence at the heart of the Bhoys side.

The move from Edinburgh to Glasgow has also boosted his international prospects, after making his first start for Scotland in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Brown has become a regular for George Burley's national squad.

Boyd is Peterborough's playmaker, making things tick from midfield

George Boyd does not look like your average Championship footballer, his shoulder length black-hair, white boots and a languid style conjure up the image of a Serie A god a la Andrea Pirlo rather than a bustling Scot.

It is more than just a fashion thing too - the 23-year-old plays the game with a similar swagger and cool, gliding around the pitch with an elegance, yet effective too as his 27 league goals in 112 appearances show.

Boyd was a gamble for boss Darren Ferguson when he paid out £260,000 to sign him from non-league Stevenage, but the Scottish 'B' cap has justified the faith with his performances from midfield, operating in the area between the strikers with devastating impact.

Known as the 'White Pele' by Posh fans, the goals scored by Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith (also non-league signings) owed much to Boyd's presence. He promises to be a real threat in the Championship this coming season.

Wallace grew up a Hibs fan, but has become a big favourite with Hearts

Hearts' third place finish in the Scottish Premier League was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes, particularly as the previous season the Jam Tarts had failed to make the top six, let alone Europe.

Under Csaba Laszlo, Hearts flourished, and in particular the club's left-wing pairing of Lee Wallace and Andrew Driver had a huge impact.

Driver stole most of the headlines with his jinky, mazy wing-play, but it is the energetic, gutsy and solid performances from Wallace that caught the eye enough to earn him a nomination for the young player of the year award alongside the more prominent Driver.

Although he grew up as a Hibs fan, it is with their capital city rivals that he has made an impression on the field, and his 'swashbuckling' style will make him a real threat going forward and in defence.

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