Juan Mata will remain in the Isuzu UTE A-League this coming season after joining Melbourne Victory.
Mata moves to 2024-25 Grand Finalists Victory after the former Manchester United, Chelsea and Spain star arrived from rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
The 37-year-old FIFA World Cup winner moved to Australia last year and scored one goal while supplying three assists in 22 appearances for Western Sydney, who lost to Victory in an Elimination Final.
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“I am excited to be coming to Melbourne and to be part of one of the most respected clubs in the League and playing in front of the incredible members and fans,” Mata said.
“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 is a 41-time Spain international, who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012 – a final in which he scored playing alongside the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Iker Casillas, David Silva and Fernando Torres.
The Spaniard also got his hands on the Champions League and Europa League trophies at star-studded Chelsea.
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A graduate of Real Madrid’s youth academy, Mata played for the club’s Castilla side in 2006-07 before joining LaLiga’s Valencia in 2007.
Mata was an integral part of a Valencia team boasting Davila Villa, Santiago Canizares, Raul Albiol, Ruben Baraja, Fernando Morientes, Joaquin and David Silva.
That season, Valencia won the Copa del Rey for the seventh time in their storied history.
After four seasons, Chelsea spent around $AUD46million to prise Mata from Valencia in 2011.
In the Premier League, Mata established himself as Chelsea’s focal point and, in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, he won the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League.
United splashed the cash to sign Mata in 2014, investing $AUD72m to bring the Spaniard to Old Trafford – a club-record fee at the time for the reigning Premier League champions, who appointed David Moyes earlier that season following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
In 285 appearances across nine seasons with United, Mata won the Europa League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield before joining Turkish giants Galatasaray as a free agent in 2022.
During his one season in Istanbul, he got his hands on the Turkish Super Lig title – the first league trophy of his career.
Mata then spent a brief spell at Japan’s Vissel Kobe, where the club won their first J1 League crown last season.
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“We are incredibly fortunate to add someone of Juan’s experience and character to the squad. We are excited to welcome him into the changeroom, where we have no doubt his leadership and knowledge of the game will elevate the whole team,” said Victory head coach Arthur Diles.
“Juan’s playing ambitions for this season and his long-term history of success with the game, align perfectly with the way we want to play for our chance to win trophies this season.”
Mata is Victory’s latest signing after Socceroo Denis Genreau, Louis D’Arrigo, Keegan Jelacic, Franco Lino (loan), Sebastian Esposito (loan), Jason Davidson, Matthew Grimaldi, Jack Warshawsky, Emre Saglam (loan), Oliver Dragicevic and Xavier Stella, while academy trio Kayne Razmovski, Jack Mihailidis and Daniel Lazarevski have been promoted.
Clarismario Santos, Luka Kolić, Roderick Miranda and Adama Traore have re-signed for 2025-26 following Victory’s run of consecutive Grand Final appearances.
Victory, meanwhile, have farewelled Fabian Monge, Alex Menelaou, Christian Siciliano, Kasey Bos (Mainz), Daniel Arzani (Ferencvarosi TC), Ryan Teague (KV Mechelen) Mitch Langerak (Retired) and Zinedine Machach.
“Melbourne Victory has a vision to lead, unite, connect, and inspire through football. Having Juan at the club further enables us to drive positive change for the club, the community, and the League; which is exceptionally important to us,” said Victory’s managing director Caroline Carnegie.
“Our vision aligns perfectly with Juan’s. Through his actions, he has dedicated himself to football’s unique ability to unite and connect people.”
“Since the potential of Juan’s signing was first made public, we have been inundated with community groups who can’t wait to come along and show their colours and support for his career in Melbourne, and we look forward to seeing them all in Round 1 at AAMI Park!”
