Paris Saint- Germain Coming to the G-Tech
French champions sending U-21s to Robert Rowan Invitational
Emerging stars from the Champions League winners set to feature. Picture: PSG
April 10, 2026
A team from the club which holds the Champions League title will be coming to the Gtech Stadium as the Bees dare to dream that they might be back again next season.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is sending its under-21 squad to play against the Brentford B team in the fourth Robert Rowan Invitational on Monday 18 May.
The annual fixture honours former technical director Robert Rowan, whose work in establishing Brentford’s B-team model helped shape the club’s modern identity before his sudden passing in 2018. All proceeds from the match will support the Heart of West London initiative, which funds cardiac screenings, CPR education and research across the community.
For Brentford B, the visit of PSG represents both a tribute and a test. It is the first time the invitational has welcomed international opposition, and it arrives at a moment when the club as a whole is looking outward, confident and increasingly comfortable on a European stage. Head coach Sam Saunders has spoken about the value of facing elite continental academies, describing PSG as exactly the kind of opponent that challenges young players to raise their level and measure themselves against the best.
While the famous names of Paris — Hakimi, Dembélé and others — will not be involved, PSG’s academy has long been one of Europe’s most prolific talent factories and the current Under-21 group contains several players tipped for senior breakthroughs. Attacking midfielder Senny Mayulu has already been involved with the first team, full-back Yoram Zague has impressed in UEFA Youth League competition, and forwards such as Noha Lemina and Ilyes Housni bring the kind of pace and technical sharpness that PSG’s youth sides are known for. Their academy director, former France international Yohan Cabaye, has described the club’s participation as an honour and emphasised the shared values of development and responsibility that underpin both clubs.
Brentford’s own pathway continues to deliver. The B-team structure Rowan helped build has produced a steady stream of first-team players, including Chris Mepham, Mads Roerslev, Ryan Trevitt, Paris Maghoma, Ji-soo Kim, Benjamin Arthur, Romelle Donovan and Yehor Yarmoliuk. Most recently, Luka Bentt made his senior debut in the FA Cup, another sign of the system’s strength. For many of the current B-team squad, the invitational will be their first opportunity to play at the Gtech in front of supporters, a milestone Saunders says carries emotional weight given the fixture’s significance.
The evening will also serve as a showcase for the Heart of West London partnership. Supporters will be able to learn CPR in the Dugout Bar before and after the match, with live music and family activities planned as part of the wider programme. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for juniors, with optional donations available.
If you would have told a Brentford fan 20 years ago that PSG, even an age group team, would be opponents, they would have thought you were mocking them but, even more incredibly, Champions League qualification may be a realistic goal for next season and the French champions may be returning with a full squad. A fifth spot was recently secured for English clubs in the top European competition and Brentford are on the shoulders of faltering Chelsea and Liverpool.
As Brentford chase a historic European place at senior level, the Robert Rowan Invitational offers a reminder of the club’s foundations: smart recruitment, youth development, community connection and a belief in doing things differently. PSG’s Under-21s will provide a demanding test, but also a glimpse of the kind of European nights Brentford hope will soon become a regular part of life at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Tickets for the match which kicks off at 7pm are just £3 for adults and £1 for juniors with the option to make an additional donation to support the Heart of West London initiative. Tickets are available now through Brentford’s official ticketing site.
https://www.eticketing.co.uk/brentfordfc/EDP/Event/Index/963?position=1
All proceeds from the match go to the Heart of West London partnership, which funds cardiac screenings, CPR education, research, and support for people affected by cardiac conditions.
Fans can visit the Dugout Bar before and after the game for live music, face painting, and the chance to learn CPR and find out more about the Heart of West London programme.
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