Former American sports stars JJ and Kealia Watt will participate in the TST tournament this summer in Cary, North Carolina.
Premier League club Burnley will take part in the competition, with co-owners JJ and Kealia captaining their men’s and women’s teams.
JJ, former Houston Texans player, five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, along with former United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) forward Kealia, have made a formal investment at Burnley last May.
Burnley’s participation means they will become the first Premier League club to enter teams in both the men’s and women’s versions of the tournament.
JJ, who will play alongside a number of former Burnley players and celebrities, said: “It’s really exciting for Kealia and I to be leading the Burnley men’s and women’s teams at the TST. We called some friends and plan to bring the best teams possible to compete. We are both very competitive individuals, so we are going to give it our all in burgundy and blue!
“It will be a proud moment for me to captain the Burnley men’s team. The club and the city have a big place in my heart, so I want to represent Burnley well. All that’s left to do is get ready, so we’re ready to go.
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Kealia added: “We are delighted to announce our involvement in TST. Having the opportunity to represent Burnley on the pitch and compete against clubs from all over the world will be incredibly special.
“I’m also looking forward to making history with the first women’s tournament.” This is an important addition and I am happy to see TST’s commitment to equal prize money for the winning men’s and women’s teams. I’m looking forward to playing for Burnley and meeting up with some of my old teammates.
Alongside Burnley, League Two club Wrexham will also take part in the men’s and women’s versions of the TST.
In the men’s tournament, Spanish team Villarreal, Italian club Como 1907, German team Borussia Dortmund, English team Hashtag United and teams led by former Premier League stars Sergio Aguero and Luis Nani will also be present. For the women’s competition, Burnley will spearhead the selection alongside the Heather O’Reilly-led USA team, Wrexham, Tampa Bay Sun and North Carolina Courage of the NWSL.
The sevens event features a $1 million prize pool for the winner and last year ticket sales topped 30,000 for the inaugural tournament.
This year’s TST will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park June 5-10.
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)