Juan Mata joins Melbourne Victory: ex-star of Chelsea and Manchester United continues his career in Australia.

Juan Mata signs contract with Melbourne Victory

According to The Sun: Former Premier League player Juan Mata has signed a deal with Australian team Melbourne Victory for one season.

The ex-player of Manchester United and Chelsea plans to spend his second season in Australia, previously playing for Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League.

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Successes of Melbourne Victory and Mata's words

This club is the second most successful in Australia, with four championships in the A-League.

“I really felt the energy in the club. I felt that they wanted me here,” Mata said in the club's statement.

“Victory always fights for victory, and it is one of the most successful clubs in the league; this is also one of the reasons why I am here.”

“I know how important Melbourne is in sports. It is a very sports-oriented city, and I look forward to experiencing it and meeting all the Victory fans.”

In addition to Mata, the club has also brought in other experienced players from the Premier League in recent months.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom acquired a 19.1% stake in the club in March, and may plan to increase his share in the future.

The cooperation between clubs became even closer on Monday when Brighton's CEO Paul Barber became a member of Melbourne's board.

Mata will be the most famous Premier League player in Melbourne, having played 285 matches over eight years at Old Trafford.

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He also played 135 matches for Chelsea, where he became a winner of the Champions League in 2012.

37-year-old Mata has played in various clubs around the world in recent years after leaving United in 2022, including one season at Galatasaray, and later moved to the Japanese club Vissel Kobe, where he only played one game.

Now he will continue his career in Australia, once again wearing the number 64, which has special meaning for him, as his parents were born in 1964.

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Juan Mata, the legendary player, continues his sports career in a new environment, adding intrigue to the Australian league. His experience and talent will undoubtedly strengthen Melbourne Victory, and great hopes are placed on his relevance in the new championship. We will watch how events unfold with his participation in the A-League.