The women's investment group has pledged to spend $100m on buying stakes in teams in each of the major leagues in Europe.
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Juan Mata
Juan Mata has become an investor in women's football group, Mercury 13
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has become a significant investor in the women's football investment group, Mercury 13.
The group, led by women and owners of FC Como Women, has previously committed to investing $100million (£74m) in acquiring stakes in teams across Europe's major leagues.
Now playing for Western Sydney Wanderers, Mata has invested alongside Portugal international Sergio Oliveira, with Mercury 13 poised to announce the expansion of its portfolio.
Mata, 37, said the women’s game “has enormous potential and deserves the investment, respect and visibility that has long been overdue”.
Oliveira, who won the Uefa Conference League with Roma, added: “Juan and I have worked together on purpose-driven projects before, and this move with Mercury 13 is a reflection of that shared vision.
“We firmly believe that women’s football is one of the most exciting and transformative opportunities in sport over the next few years.”
Mata and Oliveira join Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini in investing in Mercury 13, while American double World Cup champion Lauren Holiday sits on the board.
Victoire Cogevina Reynal, co-founder of Mercury 13, said that Mata embodied “excellence, ethics, and a commitment to the future of sport”.
She added: “His involvement marks another step forward in building a community of leaders who believe in the transformative power of women’s football.”
Mercury 13 is yet to announce its next investment in women’s football but has recently hired former SailGP and FA executive Hannah Haynes as chief strategy officer and former McLaren figure Lindsey Eckhouse as chief revenue officer.
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