England

‘The best left foot is back’: Juan Mata lands at Wanderers amid A-League Men fanfare

06-Sep-2024 03:04:23 | Guardian

• Former Man Utd and Chelsea star signs for Western Sydney
• Euro 2012 winner becomes second big-name ALM arrival this winter

The signing of Champions League winner Juan Mata by A-League Men club Western Sydney Wanderers has been hailed as “priceless”, as international football’s A-list expressed their enthusiasm for the former Spain international’s late-career move.

The Euro 2012 winner, who played 41 times in a Spain side known as one of the greatest ever, was announced as a Wanderers player on Thursday night. Although he is a long way past his peak at Valencia, Chelsea and Manchester United in the previous decade, Mata’s reputation ensured the announcement made global headlines.