OFFICIAL: Former Chelsea man Juan Mata signs for Western Sydney Wanderers

In July 2022, Juan Mata put an end to a nine-year career at Manchester United and 11 years in England, where he made his debut with Chelsea after shining with Valencia. The elegant midfielder from Burgos has always been a man of habit and put down roots, but in the epilogue of his career he has felt the desire to try new experiences and the last one has found it on the other side of the planet, in Australia.
Western Sydney Wanderers announced on Thursday the signing of Juan Mata with great fanfare. The Spaniard has signed until the end of the 2024-25 season, which still has a month and a half to go. The ball will start rolling on the weekend of 20th October, and the 36-year-old midfielder, who has been without a club since last February, is expected to be there.
The last time Mata wore a shirt and played in a match was almost exactly one year ago. It was on 16th September 2023, in a 2-0 defeat for Vissel Kobe against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. That was the only match that the Spanish midfielder played for the Japanese team where Andres Iniesta or David Villa played before. Due to physical problems, he disappeared from the call-ups and the Spaniard's Japanese adventure came to an end last February, when he agreed to terminate his contract.
Before arriving in Australia and passing through Japan, Mata also tried his luck in Turkey, where he made 18 appearances for Galatasaray, scoring three goals and providing one assist. He did play a full season there. After leaving Japan, the veteran playmaker was spotted at a training session for Danish side Nordsjaelland, where former Chelsea man Michaal Essien is assistant coach. He was trying to stay fit while waiting to find a new club.