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Mata made 278 Premier League appearances with Chelsea and Manchester United Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has signed for Australian side Melbourne Victory. The 37-year-old, who was part of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad, joins after spending last season at A-League rivals Western Sydney Wanderers. He made just seven starts last season and says he has joined Victory wanting more playing time. "I'm not somebody that demands game time for just the sake of it, " said Mata. "I really felt the energy in the club. I really felt that they wanted me here. I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies and to work with the club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country. " Mata has had a decorated career, also winning the European Championship in 2012 with Spain when he scored in the 4-0 final victory over Italy. After proving himself as Valencia's talisman, he signed for Chelsea in 2011 where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup. He moved to Manchester United in 2014 for a then club record £37. 1m fee, helping them win the FA Cup, League Cup and their first Europa League in 2016-17. Mata then had spells at Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe before moving to Australia. Victory were runners-up last season and begin the new campaign at home against Auckland FC on 18 October. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page Champions League returns & Phil Mc Nulty Q&A coming up Who will win Champions League? BBC Sport experts make predictions Vegas nights with 'Rocky' Hatton's Mancunian army Wayne Rooney on Fergie's fury and tales of Balotelli What's the score with Gulf nations funding UK sports? The wild origins of the modern-day rollercoaster Andy Zaltzman's topical panel show Vegas nights with 'Rocky' Hatton's Mancunian army Who will win Champions League? BBC Sport experts make predictions Back yard to brilliant - the making of Duplantis, and how high can he go? 'What a legend! ' Duplantis clears 6. 30m to break world record. Video'What a legend! ' Duplantis clears 6. 30m to break world record 'Have you ever seen anything like that? ' Simbu wins marathon by 0. 03 seconds. Video'Have you ever seen anything like that? ' Simbu wins marathon by 0. 03 seconds Quality not there - Scholes criticises Man Utd policy 'There is, and always will be, only one Ricky Hatton' Where the Manchester derby was won and lost - tactical analysis 'Hull overcomes internal noise as Donald turns up volume for Ryder Cup' The World Cup's final four - and how England can beat them The world of boxing remembers legend Hatton. Video The world of boxing remembers legend Hatton Seville storms to 100m gold as Bolt cheers him on. Video Seville storms to 100m gold as Bolt cheers him on 'Forget Fergie time - now it's Arne Time' 'Crawford conquers Canelo to become the face of boxing' 'I can't change people's opinions of me' - Fernandes in his own words Record-breaking Salt helps England to historic win against South Africa. Video Record-breaking Salt helps England to historic win against South Africa Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.