Juan Mata has joined Melbourne Victory in the A-League, who will be the eighth different club of his career.
The 37-year-old has been in Australia since 2024 where he initially joined Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mata joins the eighth club of his career, swapping Sydney for Melbourne
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Mata joins the eighth club of his career, swapping Sydney for MelbourneCredit: Getty
He's swapped Sydney for Melbourne in the next chapter in his career.
The attacking midfielder continues to show an appetite to play competitive football in the later years of his career.
Mata is perhaps best known for his more than decade long spell in English football with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Before joining the Blues in 2011, he came through the Real Madrid academy and played for their Castilla side.
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He moved to Valencia before swapping Spain for the Premier League.
Juan Mata transfer proposal
Things could have worked out very differently for the Spain European champion back in 2011.
Chelsea were not the only Premier League club chasing his signature as they faced competition from both Arsenal and Tottenham.
However, the Blues won the race and he cited the chance to win titles as a huge motivation for the £25m move.
"I want to come to England to win trophies - and that's why I accepted Chelsea's offer," Mata said*.*
"It was also a question of sporting achievement, not money. Arsenal and Tottenham were both interested in me but they did not compare with the Blues.
Mata wanted to play alongside 'monster' Lampard at Chelsea - and they won three trophies together
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Mata wanted to play alongside 'monster' Lampard at Chelsea - and they won three trophies togetherCredit: Getty
"I want the Premier League title and this is possible at Chelsea.
"Fernando Torres helped influence my decision but speaking directly with Villas-Boas was the decisive factor.
"He explained how his style will be based on 4-3-3 and how important I will be to his plans.
"Frank Lampard is a monster of a footballer to play alongside and the prospect of that is incredible."
He may not have won a Premier League title at Stamford Bridge, but he did claim the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup in a two-and-a-half season spell.
Where did Juan Mata go next?
Man United paid a then-record club fee of £37.1m to bring him to Old Trafford and he would go on to play 285 times for them.
Mata became Man United's record signing in 2014
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Mata became Man United's record signing in 2014Credit: Getty
There he added another Europa League and FA Cup, as well as the League Cup too.
In 2022, he finally left the Premier League and moved to Galatasaray, where he won the Turkish Super Lig.
A brief stint in Japan at Vissel Kobe came before he moved to Australia.
What has Juan Mata said?
Mata made just seven starts last season with Western Sydney Wanderers.
"I'm not somebody that demands game time for just the sake of it," said Mata.
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"I really felt the energy in the club. I really felt that they wanted me here.
"I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies and to work with the club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country."