JUAN MATA has made history after announcing a stunning move to join the ownership group of Major League Soccer side San Diego FC.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea star currently plays for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, where he has been since September.
However, the 36-year-old has now taken to social media to announce he would be investing into America’s newest top flight franchise who will be joining the league in 2025 as the 30th club.
A statement on his Instagram said: “Really happy to announce that I’m a partner at the newest and most special franchise in the MLS!”
The club’s own announcement on the move also revealed how the Spaniard has made history by becoming the first active player to hold an ownership stake in Major League Soccer.
Mata is now also in illustrious company with Inter Miami owner David Beckham as only the second international player to be involved in MLS ownership, according to the club.
The Spaniard added: “Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth.
“The commitment of both this Club and Right to Dream to community impact, excellence, and a vision for long-term success aligns perfectly with my own values.
“I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a Club that inspires both on and off the pitch.”
San Diego’s first ever competitive match will take place at the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium against five-time MLS winners LA Galaxy on March 1 2025.
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The club statement described Mata as a “widely respected humanitarian” and mentioned his charitable schemes such as the Common Goal initiative which sees players pledge one per cent of their salary to social causes.
He is also an active collaborator and partner of Right to Dream, and has visited RTD’s Academy in Egypt and Denmark.
San Diego chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said: “Juan has been an active and long-term supporter of Right to Dream, and he shares our values of wanting to use football to deliver long-term social impact and change.
“As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League, among many other titles, he is a serial winner, and in San Diego, we are committed to building a winning team for the long term.”
The playmaker starred in England for 11 years with Chelsea and Man Utd.
He spent two-and-a-half years with the Blues where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Mata then played for the Red Devils from January 2014 to summer 2022, winning the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.
After leaving Man Utd, Mata joined Galatasaray, where he won the league before leaving to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he also won the league.
Meanwhile – having started his career with Real Oviedo – prior to arriving in the Premier League he won the Copa del Rey with Valencia.
On an international level, Mata won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship and was also a European Champion in both the Under-19 and Under-21 categories.
His various business ventures away from football have helped him cultivate a reported net worth of £66million, and it seems club ownership could be up his street when he eventually retires.
SAN DIEGO will be Major League Soccer's 30th franchise team, but who will they have playing for them? Only a handful are on the books so far, but there are names you may recognise...
Hirving Lozano – Mexican winger is joining from PSV in January. He is a title winner with the Dutch club and Italian side Napoli and has 70 international appearances under his belt.
Marcus Ingvartsen – One-time Dane international has proven to be a prolific goalscorer for Nordsjaelland with 53 goals in 134 games.
Alex Mighten – Nottingham Forest academy product is joining from the Premier League side after signing a deal in the summer, but is currently on loan with Nordsjaelland.
Jeppe Tverskov – Third star associated with Nordsjaelland, the defensive midfielder only joined the club from Danish rivals Odense BK in 2023. He is a Superliga veteran with more than 220 appearances to his name.
Paddy McNair – Man Utd academy star is joining the MLS side from West Brom. Now 29 years old, it will be his first transfer outside of England after spending most of his career with Middlesbrough. McNair won the FA Cup with United in 2016 and won the Under-21 Premier League twice.
