Former Manchester United and Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has joined Australian facet Western Sydney Wanderers on a free switch.
The Spaniard had been a free agent since leaving Vissel Kobe of Japan in January, departing with a 2023 league winners’ medal in hand regardless of solely making one look for the membership.
Now 36 years outdated, Mata has signed a one-year cope with the A-League facet.
Former Man Utd and Chelsea star Juan Mata indicators in Australia
“I’m actually excited to affix the Western Sydney Wanderers, the one Australian staff to ever win the Asian Champions League, and I can’t wait to reach and practice with the staff to arrange for the season,” mentioned Mata (by way of BBC Sport).
“I’m feeling grateful and excited for this new journey, and searching ahead to making an attempt to win one other championship in a distinct league.”
Mata brings an unimaginable soccer CV with him to Australia that features 40 caps for Spain, with whom he received the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
At membership degree, Mata received the FA Cup in 2012 and Europa League in 2013 with Chelsea, profitable the membership’s Participant of the 12 months award in each of his full seasons with the membership.
Mata joined Manchester United in 2014 and went on to win Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup titles — scoring in opposition to Crystal Palace within the 2016 ultimate of the latter.
The attacking midfielder departed Previous Trafford with 420 appearances underneath his belt in English soccer for Man Utd and Chelsea mixed, scoring 84 objectives and registering 96 assists.
Mata, previously of Valencia, then joined Galatasaray in 2022 earlier than his spell in Japan.
