West Ham announced today that Glenn Roeder's Hammers are going Dutch to complete their pre-season build-up on August 11.
Hammers will fly to the Channel island of Jersey to face Dutch first division side FC Utrecht in their final friendly before the following Saturday's Premiership curtain-raiser at Liverpool.
Manager Glenn Roeder is looking forward to a tough examination against opponents who have qualified for Europe next season.
He says: 'Utrecht will be a good test for us because they did very well last season, finishing fifth in the Dutch first division and qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
'They were looking for a friendly on Saturday, August 11 and so were we, so it's worked out fine for both clubs.
'I understand Utrecht have got three or four very decent players and they'll play quick, attacking football.
'As the building work on the new stand at Upton Park won't be completed by then, we've agreed to play the friendly on the island of Jersey instead. It'll kick-off in the evening, with either a 7.30pm or 7.45pm kick-off.'
Pre-Season Schedule
First Team:
Friday 20
July
Purfleet/Bishops Stortford (a)
Tuesday 24
July Peterborough
United (a)
Monday 30
July
Stevenage Borough (a)
Friday 3
August
Notts County (a)
Monday 6 August
Rushden and Diamonds (Gary Butterworth testimonial) (a)
Saturday 11 August FC Utrecht (in
Jersey)
Reserves:
Tuesday 24
July
Heybridge Swifts (a)
Friday 27
July
AFC Sudbury (a)
Tuesday 31
July
Braintree Town (a)
Saturday 4 August Walton and
Hersham (a)
Wednesday 8 August Dagenham and Redbridge (Jason Broom
testimonial) (a)
Monday 13 August Farnborough
Town (a)
All kick off times, except Walton and Hersham (3pm) are 7.45pm