UK

Former jockey Tony McCoy to play at Soccer Aid tournament

Jockey AP McCoy after winning the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbies Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool in 2015. Picture by Mike Egerton, Press Association 
Jockey AP McCoy after winning the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbies Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool in 2015. Picture by Mike Egerton, Press Association  Jockey AP McCoy after winning the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbies Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool in 2015. Picture by Mike Egerton, Press Association 
By Jennifer Maloney and Eleanor Bley Griffiths and Press Association

FORMER jockey Tony McCoy has become the latest big name to sign up for the Soccer Aid tournament.

The 41-year-old from Moneyglass in Co Antrim retired from racing in April after being crowned champion jockey for a 20th consecutive year.

McCoy, an avid Arsenal supporter, is one of the most successful jockeys in history and was awarded a knighthood in the new year's honours list.

Earlier this month, One Direction singer Niall Horan confirmed he'd be playing at the game which benefits children's organisation Unicef.

The 10th anniversary match, will be broadcast live on ITV from Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium on Sunday, June 5.

Horan, from Mullingar, will go head-to-head with his English bandmate Louis Tomlinson.

Tomlinson is set to play for England, while singer-songwriter Horan will play for the Rest of the World team.

He will join forces with Premier League-winning football manager Claudio Ranieri, and will serve as assistant manager to the team.

Horan said: "It's an absolute honour to be asked to be involved with such a fantastic charity and this game has become a major event on the calendar for the last 10 years.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be a part of the Rest of World team and Mr Ranieri's management team.

"We have a great team this year and I'm sure the boys are looking forward to the challenge. It's going to be a great week."

Tomlinson and Horan will both be making their debut on the Soccer Aid pitch.

With One Direction on hiatus since January, the singers have enjoyed a less hectic schedule.

The Rest of the World squad includes actor Michael Sheen, TV chef Gordon Ramsay, and former Westlife singer Nicky Byrne and presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams.

Tomlinson will lace up his football boots alongside pop star Olly Murs, former Towie star Mark Wright, TV presenter Marvin Humes, comedian Paddy McGuinness, TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes, Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard, comedians Jack Whitehall and John Bishop, radio presenter Jamie Theakston and The Chase host Bradley Walsh.

Jose Mourinho will manage the England team alongside Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce and pop star Robbie Williams, who is a Unicef UK ambassador.

Footballers on board with the charity match include Liverpool's Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler, former Manchester United star Phil Neville, David Seaman and his former Arsenal team-mate Sol Campbell.

The event, which takes place every two years, will be hosted by X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary and Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

:: Tickets are on sale now at manutd.com/socceraid or call 0845 456 2016.