Mata joins Western Sydney Wanderers on one-year deal

Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has joined A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers on a one-year contract.

The 36-year-old Spaniard has been a free agent since leaving Japanese team Vissel Kobe in January 2024.

Mata left England in 2022 to join Galatasaray, where he won the league in his only season in Turkey.

“I’m really excited to join the Western Sydney Wanderers, the only Australian team to ever win the Asian Champions League, and I cannot wait to arrive and train with the team to prepare for the season,” said Mata.

“I’m feeling grateful and excited for this new adventure, and looking forward to trying to win another championship in a different league.”

Mata, capped 40 times for Spain, joined Chelsea in 2011 in a £23.5m move from Valencia.

The playmaker was a fans’ favourite at Stamford Bridge, winning the club’s player of the year award in both of his full seasons in west London.

Mata won the Champions League and FA Cup with the Blues in 2012, as well as the Europa League in 2013.

The midfielder was also part of the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

He joined Manchester United for a then-club record £37.1m in 2014 and spent eight years at Old Trafford.

Mata scored as United beat Crystal Palace in the 2016 FA Cup final, then won the EFL Cup and Europa League in 2017.

He left the club on a free transfer in 2022 to join Galatasaray, having scored 51 times in 285 appearances for the Red Devils.