Ex-Man Utd midfielder Juan Mata joins Melbourne Victory

Spaniard Juan Mata will ply his trade for Melbourne Victory, the current runners-up in the Australian A-League, in the 2025-26 season. The Spanish midfielder is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on Tuesday to link up with the Victoria-based club. This will be Mata's second stint in Australia, following a previous spell with Western Sydney Wanderers, where his contract concluded this Monday.

"We are incredibly fortunate to add Juan's experience and character to the squad," said Arthur Diles, manager of Melbourne Victory. "We are eager to welcome him into the dressing room, where his leadership and understanding of the game will undoubtedly elevate the team's level," he added.

"Our vision aligns perfectly with Juan's. Through his actions, he has dedicated his time and effort to uniting and connecting people through football," added Carolina Carnegie, the club's general manager. "Since the announcement of the signing, we have been inundated by local fan groups eager to welcome Juan," she asserted.

Melbourne Victory are one of the leading clubs in Australian football, boasting four titles since the inception of the Australian A-League in 2005. Their home ground, AAMI Park, has a capacity of 30,000 spectators and hosted six matches during the 2023 Women's World Cup, which saw Spain's victory over England in the final.

Furthermore, the club is deeply committed to its community. The 'Melbourne Victory Community' facilitates access to sports for young people, with facilities spread throughout the state of Victoria, home to 8 million people.