Former Manchester United star Juan Mata joined the ownership group of San Diego FC. The MLS expansion side confirmed the news on their social media.
Mata, who currently plays in Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers, becomes the first active player to hold a stake in the MLS team. Additionally, he is only the second international player to do so alongside David Beckham, who is part-owner of Inter Miami.
“Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth,” said Mata in a statement. “… I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a Club that inspires both on and off the pitch.”
San Diego FC’s majority owner is Egyptian businessman Mohamed Mansour, who also owns Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjælland. San Diego will become the 30th MLS club when it joins the league for its inaugural season in 2025. It already hired former United States men’s national team interim head coach Mikey Varas as its first boss and signed Mexico’s star winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano as its first Designated Player.
A product of Real Madrid’s academy, Juan Mata started his career with La Liga side Valencia before embarking on stints with Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United. He won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2011-12 and the UEFA Europa League with Manchester United in 2016-17.
Mata later played for Turkish club Galatasaray and Japan’s Vissel Kobe before joining Wanderers in September. He has 41 appearances for Spain’s national team and was part of teams that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and UEFA European Championship in 2012.
