Date and ticket details confirmed for Sheffield United's European friendly clash as Blades fans get their wish

Sheffield United have confirmed what is expected to be their final pre-season friendly of the upcoming summer warm-up campaign, with Blades fans able to cheer on their side in Germany. The Blades are set to confirm their domestic friendly schedule shortly.

But the announcement of a trip to Bochum will be the headline for Blades fans looking to go on a European tour this summer. As we reported earlier this week, United are also planning a warm-weather camp elsewhere in Europe but with no planned game attached to it.

Chris Wilder’s men will instead face VfL Bochum, of the German second tier, at the 26,000-capacity Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday August 1. The game will kick off at 4pm local time, 3pm UK time.

Bochum are managed by former Brentford manager Uwe Rosler, with Unitedites allocated 2,700 tickets for the game against his side. They will be priced at €22 for adults and €12 for concessions in the stadium’s seated areas. Standing tickets will be €12 and €8 respectively.

Bochum may yet offer hospitality for Unitedites, but that has not yet been confirmed. Three blocks have been allocated to Unitedites - Block E1 (1,100 standing), Block E2 (784 seats) and Block F (816 seats). Purchasing information on tickets will be confirmed in due course.

United and Bochum already have a few links. Former Blades striker Lys Mousset had a stay there after leaving the Lane, before his contract was terminated by mutual consent after a spate of fitness issues.

Last year also saw the 75th anniversary of Sheffield and Bochum being twinned, with a dual carriageway in the city named the Bochum Parkway in honour of the connection between the two cities.

Rosler said: "I am very pleased that we have managed to secure such a prestigious club for the season opener, especially one with which we also have a city partnership. It will be an important test of our form and a fantastic setting, just like a championship match.

“Personally, I'm really looking forward to seeing Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder again, with whom I've often had my share of duels. I can only encourage every VfL fan to come to the stadium on that day, because we've made a great signing for our final pre-season friendly.”

United say that the game is “likely to be United's last pre-season encounter ahead of the Carabao Cup first round on the weekend of the 7-9th August, whilst the EFL Championship campaign kicks off on the weekend of 14-16th August. The remainder of United's pre-season line-up, which will begin in July, will be publicised shortly.”