U2 are to headline the Friday night slot at the 2010 Glastonbury Festival, organisers have confirmed.

The Irish megastars are regularly the subject of pre-Glastonbury speculation but this time around, in advance of the festival's 40th anniversary, their involvement has been confirmed.

Festival organiser Michael Eavis said: "I promised the the best possible line-up for the show next year and the confirmation that U2 will play their first ever Glastonbury - and their first major festival gig since the early 1980s - is fantastic news."

Mr Eavis added, "We've been trying for years... and now we've finally made it happen. I'm sure they will pull out all the stops to make next year's Glastonbury the most memorable ever."

U2 promoter John Giddings said on Twitter: "It is true, U2 headline the Fri night @ Glastonbury. They fly back for the weekend in the middle of their US tour."

Bono has recently said of Glastonbury, "I know lots of people want us to play. It's something we're working up our whole life to do. We really, really want to do this."