Andy Hessenthaler’s men will help the young Azzurri prepare for the under-19 European Championships taking place next month

Leyton Orient have announced they will play the Italy under-19 team in a pre-season friendly on July 7.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side fly out to Roccaporena, Umbria on Sunday for a week long training camp ahead of the League Two campaign.

It has now been confirmed the O’s will play their first match of the summer against the Azzurri youth – kicking off at 2.30pm.

For the Italians, it is preparation ahead of the under-19 European Championships which start on July 11.

England are involved in the tournament alongside the Azzurri, which is being hosted in Germany and has eight countries battling it out.

Orient will provide the next generation of Italy stars the chance to get ready for the big event.

The under-19s are managed by Paolo Vanoli who had a spell with Scottish Premiership side Rangers during the 2003/04 season.

The O’s clash at Wealdstone on July 12 was initially their first official pre-season fixture of the summer.

But this encounter with the Italy under-19 team next Thursday will now be the first and see Hessenthaler manage the east Londoners for the first time since being appointed manager at the start of the month.