Juan Mata: Ex-Chelsea and Man Utd midfielder joins San Diego FC ownership group
Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer expansion side Santiago FC.
mata, 36, Moved to A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers September.
San Diego FC will join Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2025 as the 30th team.
“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,” Mata said.
Santiago said Mata is “the first active international soccer player to hold an ownership stake in Major League Soccer.”
Mata won six major trophies, including the Champions League, during 11 years in the Premier League with Chelsea and Manchester United.
He helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, but has not made an appearance for the national team since 2016.
Santiago president Sir Mohamed Mansour said Mata is a “serial winner” and believes he fits the club’s ambition to “build a long-term winning team”.
