City and Milan host community football session ahead of pre-season clash | OneFootball

Manchester City and AC Milan held a joint community event at New Jersey's Sofive Meadowlands ahead of Saturday's pre-season fixture at Yankee Stadium, in collaboration with PUMA.

The event is part of a wider ‘City and Milan for Change’ initiative launched by the clubs, that will see both AC Milan and City give back to the local community with a number of activities planned around the fixture.

Children from Success Academy Charter Schools Soccer Program, actively supported by Fondazione Milan since 2021, and from City In The Community (CITC) Soccerbloc program in Staten Island were invited to Sofive Meadowlands to take part in a community football session with coaches from both clubs.

In addition to the sessions, children in attendance were surprised with a visit from AC Milan’s Honorary Vice-President Franco Baresi and City ambassador Shaun-Wright Phillips.

Fans should also look out for further activity in support of the initiative that will take place at Saturday’s fixture between the two sides.

City shirts from the fixture will be auctioned to raise money for City in the Community New York, supporting young leaders to uplift the health of young people across the five boroughs through football.

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The Club will also match funds raised through the auction to a limit of $12,500 dollars.

As an Official Partner of both City and AC Milan, PUMA supported the community event by donating Manchester City and AC Milan kits and footwear for the children taking part.

In addition to the activity, City and PUMA globally launched the club’s third kit yesterday with AC Milan’s Away Kit being released this Sunday.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Manchester City Club Ambassador, said: “Community is at the heart of everything Manchester City does as a club, whether that be our local community in Manchester or further afield when we travel and engage with those within our global communities around the world.

"This collaboration with AC Milan is another unique opportunity for us to engage and give back to our communities and fanbase, empowering better lives through football.

“It’s been fantastic to work together to deliver the event and be part of it today and we’re excited to reveal a special surprise at this weekend’s fixture and hope our fans in the stadium and beyond enjoy the moment.”

Franco Baresi, Honorary Vice-President of AC Milan, added: “Engaging with and supporting the growth of football at a global level is core to AC Milan's philosophy.

"Today's event with Manchester City at Sofive Meadowlands was a fantastic opportunity to give back and inspire the next generation of football enthusiasts in the New York area.

"Initiatives like 'City and Milan for Change' highlight the unifying power of football and uplift communities around the world.

"We are excited to collaborate with Manchester City and our partner PUMA on this project and look forward to revealing a special surprise at this weekend's fixture, celebrating our shared love for the game and commitment to positive community impact.”

Check out some of the best images from the event via the gallery below...