Juan Mata has signed for a new club, and his good friend and former Manchester United team-mate David de Gea was quick to send a message
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: David de Gea of Manchester United walks off with Juan Mata (R) at the end of the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 7, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
David de Gea and Juan Mata remain close friends(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
David de Gea has hailed Juan Mata as a 'top' signing after the former Manchester United star joined a new club.
Mata, 37, has signed for Australian side Melbourne Victory, the eighth team of his senior career. The Spanish midfielder has been Down Under for the past year, helping Western Sydney Wanderers finish fourth in the A-League table last season.
His Australian adventure followed spells with Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe, having left United three years ago upon the expiry of his contract. For the entirety of his Old Trafford career, Mata played alongside compatriot De Gea and the pair formed a close friendship.
They've kept in touch since Mata left Manchester a year before De Gea's own exit in July 2023. Now at Fiorentina, the ex-United goalkeeper reacted to Victory's Instagram post announcing the signing of Mata.
In the replies section, De Gea simply shared an emoji that read 'top'. His comment garnered nearly 500 likes within six hours, the highest amount on the club's post.
Mata, who'll wear the No.64. shirt, could make his debut on Saturday, when Victory begin their 2025-26 campaign at home to Auckland. The 37-year-old is relishing life in Melbourne, having made 23 appearances for Wanderers last season and showing no signs of losing his hunger.
"I really felt the energy in the club. I really felt that they wanted me here," Mata said at his unveiling on Tuesday. "In my conversation with Arthur (Diles)… I really felt that with his style of play and players that we have in the dressing room, we can have a good season.
"Victory has always been fighting to win, and it's one of the most successful clubs in the league; that's also one of the reasons why I'm here.
"Hopefully, this season, we can do what they did last season, which is go to the finals, but change that final result and hopefully win. I think a club of this size and with the fans that they have, it's something that they deserve."
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The Old Trafford fan favourite also penned an emotional message to Wanderers supporters after his departure was confirmed. "Thank you very much to all the @wswanderersfc family: everyone who is part of the club, fans, RBB… You are such a special club and will never forget how you welcomed me and your support through the season," Mata wrote.
"Your vision in using the power of football to positively impact society sets you apart and you will always have a friend in me. All the best for the future, thank you for this wonderful experience in Sydney and for having opened the A-League's door to me. I’m really proud to have worn your shirt."
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