Soccer Aid debut is Lion in wait for Hammers legend Noble
West Ham star Mark Noble is calling time on his pro career at the end of the season — but the midfielder's final game will be at Soccer Aid.
The Hammers legend has been added to the England squad bidding to put three consecutive defeats against the World XI behind them on June 12.
And Noble, 35, will be in familiar territory with the match being played at the London Stadium, which just happens to be home to the team he made his debut for as a 17-year-old in August 2004.
He said: "I was touched when Soccer Aid for UNICEF invited me to play for England. Playing for your country is the greatest honour for any professional athlete.
"This is for such a special cause and I can’t wait to run out in front of 60,000 fans at the London Stadium one last time.
"It will be an emotional day but I want you all to share it with me."
Having bagged 62 goals along the way, Noble is on course to retire with 550 senior appearances for West Ham under his belt.
And the Hammers faithful will be able to get one last glimpse of him in action alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Joe Cole in an England side captained by singer Liam Payne.
Noble, who represented his country at youth level, added: "Of course, this isn’t about me — it’s about raising as much money for UNICEF as we possibly can.
"With £13million [raised] last year, we want to go beyond that this summer.
"The match is well on its way to being sold out, so buy your tickets now and support this great cause."
Noble and Co are set to be joined by more star names in the coming weeks as the 11th edition of Soccer Aid draws ever closer.
And the West Ham fan favourite will find a familiar face in the dressing room in the shape of ex-boss Harry Redknapp, who is set to manage the Three Lions having previously guided the World XI to success in the last three Soccer Aid games.
Soccer Aid squads so far
England: Harry Redknapp (manager), Liam Payne (captain), Sir Mo Farrah, Tom Grennan, Mark Wright, Chunkz, Damian Lewis, Mark Noble, Teddy Sheringham, David James, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Fara Williams, Joe Cole, Alex Brooker and David Seaman (goalkeeper coach).
World XI: Arsene Wenger (manager), Usain Bolt (captain) Martin Compston, Steven Bartlett, Munya Chawawa, Kem Cetinay, Noah Beck, Lee Mack, Mo Gilligan, Chelcee Grimes, Andriy Shevchenko, Patrice Evra, Cafu, Carli Lloyd and Robbie Keane.
