Ragged Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has joined the possession crew of Main League Soccer expansion facet San Diego FC.

Mata, 36, moved to A-League membership Western Sydney Wanderers in September.

San Diego FC will enter the MLS in 2025 as the Thirtieth crew in the rivals.

“Joining San Diego FC as a partner is a thrilling opportunity to support get something in fact special in a metropolis and league which might be experiencing unprecedented growth,” stated Mata.

San Diego stated Mata is the “first energetic world soccer player to preserve an possession stake in Main League Soccer”.

Mata won six predominant trophies all the procedure through an 11-365 days spell in the Premier League with Chelsea and Manchester United, along with the Champions League.

He helped Spain procure the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, nonetheless has now not featured for his nation since 2016.

San Diego chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour stated Mata change into a “serial winner” and believes he aligns with the membership’s ambition to “get a profitable crew for the prolonged-timeframe”.