Melbourne, Sep 16 (NationPress) Melbourne Victory has officially welcomed Juan Mata, the former star of Manchester United and Chelsea, as part of their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 A-League men’s season.

With an illustrious career that includes triumphs in the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA European Championship, Mata has showcased his skills with elite clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Valencia, and the Spanish National Team.

Mata expressed his enthusiasm for joining the club, aiming to foster on-field success and unite the community through football. He stated, "I am eager to arrive in Melbourne and be part of such a respected club in the league, playing before our remarkable members and fans. My dedication lies in aiding this team to secure trophies and collaborating with the Club on a long-term vision to enhance football in the nation."

The midfielder, renowned for his exceptional technical skill and a mesmerizing left foot, began his career at Real Oviedo before transitioning to Real Madrid’s youth academy at the age of 15 in 2003.

After making a significant impact in Los Blancos’ youth system, Mata moved to Valencia in 2007, rapidly establishing himself as a vital player for the La Liga side. The Burgos native netted 46 goals and provided 52 assists in 174 appearances, most notably celebrating victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain.

In 2011, Mata joined Chelsea, where he enjoyed immediate success, capturing the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup in his debut season and earning the title of Chelsea’s Player of the Year.

Following his club achievements, Mata retained his spot in Spain’s distinguished squad for the UEFA Euros in 2012, famously scoring the fourth goal in the final against Italy, leading to a 4-0 triumph.

His journey continued with a transfer to Manchester United in January 2014, where he arrived for a then club-record fee. During a time of transition from legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes, Mata emerged as one of United’s standout performers, showcasing his unrivaled creativity and footballing intelligence.

Over the course of 285 games with United, Mata played a crucial role in securing the FA Cup, League Cup, FA Community Shield, and the club’s inaugural UEFA Europa League title in the 2016/17 season. In 2022 and 2023, he clinched league titles in Turkey and Japan with Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe respectively, before making his way to Australia last season.