The Inter Milan winger made 42 appearances for the Serie A club last season, scoring 11 goals.

On an international level Perišić has made 57 appearance for Croatia and appeared at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Perišić has also played at two UEFA European Championships in Poland and Ukraine in 2012 and France in 2016.

But, while most footballers are relaxing in the off season, the 28-year-old and his professional playing partner Niksa Dell'Orco have been handed a wildcard to play in the resort town.

Although Perišić and Dell’Orco will not know their opponents until the main draw pairings are confirmed, the duo will play all of their matches on the centre court in Peškera Bay. 

"I have been given permission to play in a beach volleyball tournament of the highest importance," said Perišić.

"My only wish is to stay in the tournament for as long as possible.

"I hope my participation in Poreč will help promote this unique tournament and promote this beautiful sport.

"The fee that we will receive as a team from the organisers will be donated to the National Federation to benefit the development of Croatian beach volleyball players."

Competition is due to begin tomorrow with qualifying action before the tournament concludes on Sunday (July 2).

It is the second Major Series event of the tour with the first taking place in Fort Lauderdale in the United States in February and the third due to take place in the Swiss Alps village of Gstaad between July 4 and 9.

According to organisers 160 men’s and women’s teams from 41 countries are set to compete this week. 

Brazilian duo Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt are the reigning men's champions after defeating Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst of Austria in last year's final.

The current women's champions are German duo Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude.

They secured a final victory over Canadians Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley in 2016.