Barca and Real to tour North America

Newly-crowned European champions Barcelona and their big-spending arch rivals Real Madrid both announced pre-season tours of North America on Thursday.

Ahead of the 2009-2010 campaign Real will be showing off costly new signings in Brazilian playmaker Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set for a world record transfer from Manchester United.

Real will play in Canada against Toronto FC on August 7 before tackling DC United in Washington on August 9.

Barcelona, who also won the Spanish league title last month, are viewed by many as the most exciting team in Europe. They are due to take on Los Angeles Galaxy on August 1 and Seattle Sounders four days later.

Fans in Britain can also catch Barcelona and their star man Lionel Messi at Wembley in London against locals Tottenham Hotspur on July 24 and Egypt's Al-Ahly, winners of the last two African Champions league titles, also at Wembley on July 26.