Former American sports stars JJ and Kealia Watt will be competing in The Soccer Tournament (TST) being played in Cary, North Carolina, this summer.
Premier League club Burnley will be participating in the competition, with co-owners JJ and Kealia captaining their men’s and women’s teams.
JJ, a former Houston Texans player, five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL defensive player of the year, along with Kealia, a former forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), made a formal investment in Burnley last May.
Burnley’s participation means they will become the first Premier League club to enter teams in the men’s and women’s versions of the tournament.
JJ, who will play alongside a number of former Burnley players and celebrities, said: “It’s really exciting for both Kealia and I to headline Burnley’s men’s and women’s teams at TST. We’ve called some friends and are planning on bringing the best teams we can to compete. We are both highly competitive individuals, so we’ll be giving it our all in claret and blue!
“It’s going to be a proud moment for me, captaining the Burnley men’s team. The club and town have an important place in my heart, so I want to represent Burnley well. Now it’s all about preparing so we’re ready to go.”
Kealia added: “We’re delighted to announce our involvement in TST. Having the opportunity to represent Burnley on the pitch and compete against clubs from around the globe will be incredibly special.
“I’m also looking forward to making history with the inaugural women’s tournament. This is an important addition and I’m pleased to see TST’s commitment to an equal prize for the winning men’s and women’s teams. I’m looking forward to playing in the Burnley shirt and reuniting with some of my former team-mates.”
Alongside Burnley, League Two club Wrexham will also compete in the men’s and women’s versions of TST.
In the men’s tournament, Spanish side Villarreal, Italian club Como 1907, German outfit Borussia Dortmund, English side Hashtag United, and teams headlined by former Premier League stars Sergio Aguero and Luis Nani will also feature. For the women’s competition, Burnley will spearhead the selection alongside the Heather O’Reilly U.S.-led team, Wrexham, Tampa Bay Sun and NWSL’s North Carolina Courage.
The seven-a-side event carries a $1million winner-takes-all-prize pot and last year, ticket sales topped 30,000 for the inaugural tournament.
This year’s TST will be staged at WakeMed Soccer Park from June 5 to 10.
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
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