Paris: English Premier League side Hull City will make their European debut away to Slovakian outfit Trencin in Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round, first leg.
Hull, losing finalists in last year’s FA Cup to Arsenal, will travel to Zilina, as Trencin’s home ground does not meet the required Uefa standards, for their first continental appearance in the club’s 110-year history.
Other sides entering the competition on Thursday include 1978 champions PSV Eindhoven, two-time former winners IFK Goteborg of Sweden as well as French side Lyon and Spain’s Real Sociedad.
St Johnstone, who won their first major trophy in 130 years with last season’s Scottish Cup triumph, are also joined by fellow Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in the third qualifying phase.
The second legs are scheduled for August 7 with the winners of each tie advancing to the play-off round.
Last season’s beaten FA Cup finalists on Tuesday announced the arrivals of Scotland international left-back Andrew Robertson from Dundee United and centre-back Harry Maguire from Sheffield United.
Robertson, 20, cost Steve Bruce’s side £2.85 million (Dh17.7 million), according to the club website, while the fee for 21-year-old Maguire was £2.5 million. Both players have signed three-year deals.
Robertson joined Dundee United from Scottish third-tier side Queens Park just over a year ago and was named Scotland’s Young Player of the Year after an excellent maiden campaign.
England Under-21 international Maguire, meanwhile, made 166 appearances for Sheffield United and was named the club’s Player of the Year in each of the last three seasons.
“A lot of things attracted me to Hull City. But a big factor was the manager,” Maguire told the club website.
“Steve Bruce is a great manager. He was a centre-back himself during his playing days — and a very good one at that — so I’m sure he’ll be willing to pass on a bit of advice.”
Robertson and Maguire join Jake Livermore, Robert Snodgrass, Tom Ince and Karim Rossi in arriving at the KC Stadium during the close season.
Hull, beaten 3-2 by Arsenal in last season’s FA Cup final, open their Premier League campaign away to promoted Queens Park Rangers on August 16.
