Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has signed for Melbourne Victory ahead of the new A-League campaign.
The 37-year-old Spanish playmaker, who was part of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in 2010, joins after a season with Western Sydney Wanderers, where he made only seven starts. Juan Mata said his move was motivated by a desire for more playing time and the ambition he saw within the club.
“I’m not somebody that demands game time for just the sake of it,” Mata said. “I really felt the energy in the club. I really felt that they wanted me here. I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies and to work with the club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country.”
Mata’s career has seen him play at the highest level in Europe and Asia. After breaking through at Valencia, he signed for Chelsea in 2011, where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup. In 2014, he joined Manchester United for a then club-record fee of £37.1 million, helping the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
He also scored in Spain’s 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final, cementing his place in one of the most successful national teams in history.
After leaving England, Mata had short spells with Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe before moving to Australia. His arrival at Melbourne Victory is seen as a major boost for the club, who finished as A-League runners-up last season.
Victory begin their 2025 campaign at home against Auckland FC on October 18, with Mata expected to play a central role in their push for silverware.
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