Reports say Juan Mata to MLS: which club will he play for?

Reports suggest that the MLS will be Juan Mata’s next destination in his career in football. The legendary Spanish midfielder, who has played for teams such as Valencia and Chelsea, and most recently Vissel Kobe, could be on his way to the west coast.

Local media outlets in Asturias, the northern region in Spain where Mata grew up, say that the player will arrive stateside in 2025, after the current season ends. Right now Juan Mata is a free agent, having finished his time as a player with the J1 League side in Asia this past February.

Which team will Juan Mata join in MLS?

RTPA in Asturias say that the ex-Manchester United midfielder will join San Diego FC for the 2025 season. That year, the league will expand from 29 teams to 30, with the newly founded outfit set to take the fresh spot in the Western Conference. The report also suggests that there is a possibility that Juan Mata becomes a shareholder in the club.

Bringing in Mata would be another huge coup for the new franchise after it was revealed that PSV are also reportedly close to agreeing a €12 million deal for winger Hirving Lozano, who returned to the Dutch side after a spell with Napoli in Italy.

Juan Mata started his career at the Real Madrid youth team before moving to Valencia, where he made over 100 appearances and established himself as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe. From there he moved to the Premier League, where he played close to 300 combined games for Chelsea and Manchester United, winning 1 Champions League, 1 Europa League and 2 FA Cups.

From there he moved to Turkey and then onto Vissel Kobe in Japan. Interantionally, he played 41 times for Spain, scoring 10 goals and forming part of the side that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and EURO 2012. Known for his creative and elegant style of play, Mata, even at 36-years-old, would provide the side with a touch of class of the level that not many teams possess in the league.