Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has signed a one-year contract with A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.
The 36-year-old Spaniard has been a free agent since departing Japanese club Vissel Kobe in January 2024.
Mata moved from England to Galatasaray in 2022, where he secured a league title during his single 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, who earned 40 caps for Spain, moved to Chelsea in 2011 for £23.5 million from Valencia.
The playmaker quickly became a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in both of his first two seasons in west London.
During his time with Chelsea, Mata won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2012, as well as the Europa League in 2013.
He was also a key part of the Spain squad that triumphed in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
In 2014, Mata joined Manchester United for a then-club record £37.1 million and spent eight years at Old Trafford.
He scored in the 2016 FA Cup final as United defeated Crystal Palace and added the EFL Cup and Europa League titles in 2017.
Mata left Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022 to join Galatasaray, having scored 51 goals in 285 appearances for the Red Devils.