Dijon FCO v Sunderland
Stade Camille-Fournier, Évian-les-Bains
Wednesday 27 July
6pm
Sunderland’s fourth pre-season outing will see them take on Dijon FCO on Wednesday 27 July (KO 6pm).
Taking place at the Stade Camille-Fournier, Sunderland will take on the Ligue 2 side who are managed by Olivier Dall’Oglio.
The 52-year-old has taken charge of Djion since 2012 after hanging up his boots following a solid career as a defender with the likes of Ales, Strasbourg and Rennes.
Despite playing the top tier, the club as it is today was only established in 1998 when the city’s two leading clubs – Cercle Sportif Laïque Dijonnais and Dijon FC – decided to merge to form a stronger club.
Dijon FCO narrowly missed out on promotion during their inaugural season but one season later they won the French Amateur title, with the club turning professional in 2004 following their ascendancy to Ligue 2 under the stewardship of Rudi Garcia, who was manager of Roma last season.
Garcia’s departure in 2007 spelled the end of an era but the the appointment of Patrice Carteron signalled the start of a new one, with the club earning promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time following the 2010-11 season.
Unfortunately the club suffered relegation after just one season in the top flight, but last season they returned earning promotion via a second-place finish in Ligue 2.
One of the reasons behind their success was Frédéric Sammaritano who created ten goals during his first season with the club.
Dijon’s ranks also include Romain Amalfitano, who was once on the books at Newcastle United and is brother to Morgan, who previously represented West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion.
