Wanderers to host Italian giants Fiorentina in pre-season

Wanderers will welcome Italian club Fiorentina to the Toughsheet Community Stadium as part of their pre-season schedule.

The fixture takes on Friday, July 26 (7.30pm) against the two-time Serie A winners, who finished eighth last term.

La Viola have also reached the Europa Conference League final in back-to-back seasons, coming up short against West Ham and Olympiacos respectively.

Raffaele Palladino took charge of the Italian club earlier this month, replacing Vincenzo Italiano who spent three years in the hot seat.

Wanderers say ticket details for the match, along with other friendly fixtures, will be announced in due course.

The Whites have now confirmed five pre-season games as Ian Evatt’s men prepare for the upcoming League One campaign following their play-off heartbreak.

Bolton face Middlesbrough, who finished eighth in the Championship last term, at Bishop Auckland’ Heritage Park ground on Saturday, July 20 (3pm).

Wanderers make the short trip to Victory Park to take on neighbours Chorley on Tuesday, July 23 (7.30pm).

After facing Fiorentina, the Whites have another fixture against Championship opposition when Stoke City head to the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Tuesday, July 30 (7.30pm).

Bolton wrap up their pre-season schedule with a trip to Vale Park to take on League Two side Port Vale on Saturday, August 3 (3pm).

Before those games take place, Evatt's squad will head to Portugal for a week-long training camp which has become an annual tradition in recent seasons.

The League One season gets under way on the weekend of August 10 and the full fixture list will be revealed at 9am on Wednesday, June 26.

There have also been a couple of fixtures announced for the B Team, who travel to Workington on Tuesday, July 30 (7.30pm) before heading to Stoke on Tuesday, August 6 (1pm).

It will be Andy Taylor’s first pre-season with the youngsters after taking charge in January following Matt Craddock’s promotion to the first-team squad.