Huddersfield Town will finally play Portuguese opposition next month – 44 years after turning down the chance to take on the mighty Benfica.

The touring Lisbon giants, with a squad including Eusebio, requested a game against Ian Greaves’ side during the 1969-70 season.

But Town elected to concentrate on a league campaign which was to bring promotion to the top flight as Second Division champions.

Now Mark Robins’ side will take on Sporting Club Olhanense on Saturday, July 19, at the end of trip to the Algarve which will also include a behind-closed-doors game against Doncaster on Tuesday, July 15.

Town will be based at Vale de Lobo, 16 miles to the West of the fishing town of Olhao.

Their game against Sporting Club will be at the 11,600 capacity Estadio Jose Arcanjo.

Olhanense were relegated from the Portuguese top flight last season.

Their squad features the likes of former Portuguese international goalkeeper Ricardo, Nigerian midfielder Cristian Obodo and ex-Everton player Per Kroldrup.

The club were formed in 1912, and won the Portuguese Cup in 1924.

They were the first Algarve side to reach the Portuguese top flight in 1941 (their main regional rivals are Farense and Portimonense) and, led by former Portugal star Jorge Costa, won the Division II title in 2009.

It will be Town’s first game on foreign soil since a 2006 pre-season tournament in Ibiza.

Town will return from Portugal in time to play at Guiseley on Monday, July 21, then head to Scunthorpe on Saturday 26.

There are games at Sheffield United on Tuesday 29 and Oldham on Saturday, August 2, before Town’s only home pre-season friendly against Premier League Newcastle on Tuesday, August 5, with Bournemouth visiting for the Championship opener on Saturday 9.

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