Supporters said they were in dreamland after Town officials yesterday announced they had secured a glamour pre-season friendly with European giants Galatasaray.

The Turkish side will kick-off their pre-season tour in Shrewsbury on July 13, and have promised to field first team players as part of the contract for the fixture.

It means stars such as former Chelsea striker Drogba, ex-Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue and Dutch international Sneijder could make an appearance in Shropshire before going on to play in the Emirates Cup competition against Arsenal, FC Porto and Napoli.

Hundreds of fans took to social media sites and football messageboards to react to the news, with supporters from rival clubs like AFC Telford United congratulating the Shrews on securing the tie.

Simon Moore, 38, chairman of the official supporters club and a fan for more than 25 years, said: "To get this calibre of foreign opposition to Shrewsbury is absolutely fantastic.

"I knew the club had been working very hard to secure a high-profile fixture and this just shows you what goes on behind the scenes. It's great for the fans and for the kids because they see names like Didier Drogba in magazines and TV and now they get to see them in the flesh."

Chris Robinson, 44, official supporters club vice-chairman, said the only other comparable game at the new ground was the exhibition side which included Gianfranco Zola which played to mark the official opening of the ground.

He said: "It's superb for the club and fans, and I don't know how they've managed to secure this deal with such a big European club. I can't think of a time when we've played bigger foreign opposition."

Ian Venables, from Four Crosses, near Shrewsbury, saw his first Shrewsbury game as a six-year-old and has followed the club for 50 years.

He said: "Everyone is very excited. It is absolutely great for a team like ours to clinch a game with a club that regularly plays in the Champions League and are also national champions. If this doesn't fill the ground then I don't know what will."

Ralph Clayton, president and treasurer of the official supporters club, said: "It is certainly the biggest team we will have played since the move to the Greenhous Meadow and could well open the door to other big clubs in the future."

The game will kick off at 3pm and ticket details will be announced shortly.

Jayne Bebb, club secretary, said: "We were looking for something special for the team and supporters to experience this pre-season and after a lot of behind the scenes negotiation we've landed this attractive fixture against the Champions League quarter finalists of last season."

Shrewsbury v Galatasaray - The tale of the tape

LOCATION

Shrewsbury Town:

Shrewsbury: The county town of Shropshire with a population of 70,000, the town is formed around the River Severn. The town features over 660 historic listed buildings, including several examples of timber framing from the 15th and 16th century.

Galatasaray:

Istanbul: The largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart, population 13,480, 000. Approximately 11.6 million foreign tourists visited in 2012, two years after it was named a European Capital of Culture, making it the world's fifth-most-popular tourist destination.

STADIUM

Shrewsbury Town:

Greenhous Meadow (capacity 9,875). Completed in the summer of 2007, in time for the 2007–08 English football season, it was built to replace Gay Meadow, home of Shrewsbury Town

Galatasaray:

Türk Telekom Arena (capacity 52,652). Opened in 2011. On March 18, 2011, it recorded 131.76 decibels which is considered as being a world record for the 'loudest crowd roar at a sport stadium'

HONOURS

Shrewsbury Town:

Football League Third Division champions 1979, 1994

Football League Two runners up 2012; playoff runners up 2007, 2009; playoff semi-finalists 2011

Football Conference Playoff Winners 2004

Welsh Cup winners 1891, 1938, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1985

FA Cup quarter finalists 1979, 1982

Football League Cup Semi Finalists 1961

Galatasaray:

UEFA Cup Winners 2000

UEFA Super Cup Winners 2000

Champions League Semi-Finals 1989, Quarter-Finals 1963, 1970, 1994, 2001, 2013

Cup Winners' Cup Quarter-Finals 1992

Turkish Süper Lig Winners 1961–62, 1962–63, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13

STARS

Shrewsbury Town:

Chris Weale (Goalkeeper). The club's Player of the Year last season signed in 2012 after being released by Leicester City.

Jon Taylor (Midfield). A product of Shrewsbury's youth system, he has attracted interest from club's at a higher level thanks to his pace and goalscoring threat.

Joe Jacobson (Defender). Made captain towards the end of last season. Also revealed himelf to be a free-kick specialist with two goals in the last two games.

Galatasaray:

Didier Drogba. The former Chelsea star received a £3.4 million signing on fee and earns £3.4 millon per season. He has won the Champions League, the Premier League three times and the FA Cup four times.

Emmanuel Eboue. Signed from Arsenal for £3 million and earns £2 million a season. Played in the 2006 Champions League Final.

Wesley Sneijder. Dutch international. Played in the 2010 World Cup Final and won the Chamions League with Inter Milan in the same year.