Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has announced that he has joined the ownership group at MLS club San Diego FC.
The 36-year-old has not yet retired from football, as he is playing in Australia’s A League for Western Sydney Wanderers.
🚨 ¡ I’M JOINING SAN DIEGO FC OWNERSHIP GROUP! 🚨
Really happy to announce that I’m a partner at the newest and most special franchise in the MLS! @sandiegofc
Many thanks to the ownership group, @right2dream and @MLS for allowing me to be the first active player to be a part… pic.twitter.com/gY4TyxnVib
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) November 20, 2024
Mata follows in David Beckham’s footsteps as a former Premier League player to own a percentage in an MLS club, but does become the first active player to join a club’s ownership.
The midfielder has never played in MLS, but did spend time in Japan’s J1 league before making the move to Australia.
📸 Cameron Spencer – 2024 Getty Images