Juan Mata Signs with Melbourne Victory After Leaving Western Sydney Wanderers
Former Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Mata has joined Melbourne Victory, bringing his world-class experience to the A-League giants ahead of the new season.
The 37-year-old midfielder, part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad, moves to Victory after spending last season with Western Sydney Wanderers, where he made just seven starts.
Speaking about the move, Mata explained his motivation:
“I’m not someone who demands playing time for the sake of it. I felt the energy here at Victory, I felt wanted, and I’m motivated to help this team win trophies. This is also about contributing to the club’s long-term vision for football in Australia.”
A Career Full of Silverware
Mata’s football journey is nothing short of decorated. After shining at Valencia, he moved to Chelsea in 2011, where he lifted the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup.
In 2014, he signed for Manchester United in a then club-record £37.1m deal. During his time at Old Trafford, he added the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League (2016–17) to his trophy cabinet.
On the international stage, he not only played a role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph, but also scored in the Euro 2012 final as Spain beat Italy 4–0.
Following his Premier League success, Mata had spells with Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe before moving to Australia in 2023.
New Challenge in Melbourne
Melbourne Victory, who finished as A-League runners-up last season, are eager to build on that momentum. The club will kick off their new campaign at home against Auckland FC on 18 October, with fans now set to see one of Europe’s most technically gifted midfielders in Victory blue.