Milk Cup 2015: Chris Sutton to open tournament in Coleraine

Chris Sutton during his managerial spell at Lincoln City

Former Chelsea, Celtic and England striker Chris Sutton will officially open this year's Milk Cup in Coleraine on Sunday evening (19:00 BST).

Sutton will declare the 33rd international youth football tournament open after leading a parade of the teams through the town centre.

"Chris did not hesitate to accept our invitation," said Milk Cup tournament secretary Jim Weir.

Following Sunday's opening ceremony, the action will start on Monday.

Sutton, who also had spells with Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Aston Villa, was the first player to command a £5m transfer between two British clubs back in 1994.

He left Norwich for Blackburn Rovers who were managed by Kenny Dalglish and in his first season formed a formidable partnership with Alan Shearer which helped Rovers land the Premiership title.

Capped once by England manager Glenn Hoddle in 1997, Sutton left Blackburn for Chelsea in July 1999 for a £10m fee and a year later joined Martin O'Neill at Celtic for £6m, a Scottish record and a sum that the Kilrea man described as a snip.

His goals and partnership with Henrik Larsson played a major role in Celtic's 2000-01 Scottish Championship and League Cup victory.

In total he helped Celtic to win three SPL titles, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup, as well as reaching the UEFA Cup final against Porto.

In January 2006 he left Parkhead to join Birmingham City, scoring once in 10 appearances for the Blues, before a stint at Aston Villa was cut short by an eye injury which forced him to retire.

Sutton has also had a managerial spell at Lincoln City.