Juan Mata, the former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder, has signed with A-League club Melbourne Victory.
Now 37, Mata was part of Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup-winning squad and joins Victory after a season with Western Sydney Wanderers, where he made just seven starts.
Eager for more regular playing time, the Spanish playmaker is hoping to make a greater impact in his second A-League campaign.
Mata brings a wealth of experience and silverware. He scored in Spain’s 4-0 win over Italy in the Euro 2012 final and enjoyed a glittering club career, beginning with a standout spell at Valencia.
He joined Chelsea in 2011, winning the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup, before moving to Manchester United in 2014 for a then-club-record £37.1 million. At United, he lifted the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League.
Following stints with Galatasaray in Turkey and Vissel Kobe in Japan, Mata made the move to Australia.
Melbourne Victory, last season’s A-League runners-up, will kick off the new campaign at home against Auckland FC on October 18.
