Wanderers land ex-Champions League, World Cup winner Juan Mata in A-League coup
World Cup champion, Champions League winner and English Premier League star Juan Mata is officially heading down under.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have landed one of the biggest coups in the history of the A-League with former Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Mata agreeing to a one-year deal.
The 36-year-old veteran midfielder, who won the 2011-12 Champions League title with Chelsea and was part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning squad, has reportedly agreed to terms to play in Alen Stajcic’s side in the 2024-25 season.
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But while Mata comes with one of the best resumes the A-League has seen after a decade long career in the EPL, there are questions about how much he has left in the tank.
Mata hasn’t played competitive football in almost a year, his last match coming last September for Japanese club Vissel Kobe, where he only played 11 minutes in one game.
Prior to that, he played three matches for Turkish club Galatasaray and has played just 19 matches since leaving Manchester United in 2022.
Having left the club at the conclusion of his contract in January, the Wanderers jumped at the chance to sign the star.
“He is one of the most respected, gifted and awarded players of a generation and brings not only football talent and success rarely seen in Australian club football, but also a humility to share his experiences and insights,” Wanderers boss Alen Stajcic said.
“Juan will help our team perform on the field but even more critically, he will be an important figure in turbocharging the growth and development of our youthful squad.
“It’s a great day for our football club and I am sure all Wanderers fans will be excited to see what this team can deliver now.”
Mata said he was eager to get on the ground and start his time with the red and black.
“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 ahead,” Mata said.
“I’m feeling grateful and excited for this new adventure, and looking forward to trying to win another Championship in a different league.”
He also took to Twitter to post a full statement.
I’m feeling, again, very thankful to football for the many experiences and joy that keeps bringing to my life… Today, a new adventure is starting, and I’m super excited about it! I will keep enjoying this amazing sport by playing not only in a different country… but in a… pic.twitter.com/qOfOdeE9ze
— Juan Mata GarcÃa (@juanmata8) September 5, 2024
Fans were also excited.
One tweeted: “With Juan Mata, Douglas Costa, Hiroki Sakai, Trent Sainsbury in the A League, is this is the closest the league has been to the peak in the early 10s.”
Another added: “Holy f**k , JUAN MATA signed with the Wanderers! What an awesome signing for the A-League.”
Another said: “Juan Mata coming to the A-League. Wow.”
A fourth said: “Ronaldinho, Douglas Costa and Juan Mata playing football in Parramatta was not on my 2024 bingo card. Or any year for that mata.”
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho hasn’t signed for an A-League club, he was announced as headlining an exhibition match in Sydney as part of the “Joga Bonito Tour”.
Mata’s football journey started when he was just 12, playing three seasons in the Real Oviedo Academy before joining Real Madrid at the age of 15.
After a rapid rise through the ranks, Mata was given an opportunity to join Valencia, helping the side to a Copa del Rey title in 2008.
He spent four years at the club and made over 170 appearances with 46 goals.
In that time, Mata was part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning squad, but played one game off the bench in his nation’s 2-0 group win over Honduras.
Mata represented his nation at the highest level 41 times, scoring 10 goals.
In 2011, Mata moved to Chelsea, which saw him star in the club’s maiden Champions League title as well as an FA Cup, Europa League and FA Community Shield.
Mata was also a genuine star of the team, twice voted Player of the Year.
But after 135 games, 33 goals and 58 assists, Mata broke the Manchester United transfer record in 2014, when he signed for $A72m.
During a nine-year, 285 game career at the Red Devils, Mata was instrumental in the club’s FA Cup, EFL Cup, FA Community Shield and Europa League titles.
Mata’s signing comes hot on the heels of Sydney FC signing Brazilian star Douglas Costa.
Costa has joined the Sydneysiders on a two-year marquee deal in a much-needed boost for the A-League.
The 33-year-old Brazilian winger is a serial silverware winner, with his haul including five trophies with Bayern – one of which being the FIFA Club World Cup – six with Juventus and 11 with Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.
With NewsWire
Originally published as Wanderers land ex-Champions League, World Cup winner Juan Mata in A-League coup
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