New Major League Soccer club San Diego FC has announced that legendary midfielder Juan Mata has been added to the ownership group as a partner.

Mata, 36, recently signed a short-term deal with Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers but is widely known for his successful stints at Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United. Mata was also part of the Spain national team that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2012.

In joining the San Diego FC ownership group, Mata became the first active international soccer player to hold a stake in MLS. He also joins David Beckham – who owns Inter Miami – as the second international player to hold a stake in an MLS club.

“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,” Mata said in a statement on Wednesday. “The commitment of both this club and Right to Dream to community impact, excellence, and a vision for long-term success aligns perfectly with my own values.

“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.”

Mata is an ideal investor due to being a huge supporter of the Right to Dream Academy which recently expanded to San Diego. Right to Dream was founded in Ghana back in 1999, but has since expanded across the globe to set up soccer academies and give talented prospects an opportunity to progress. Mata partnered with Right to Dream through his own Common Goal initiative, which he founded after pledging one percent of his salary to social issues.

“We are absolutely delighted that Juan Mata has joined the club as a partner,” said San Diego FC Chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour. “Juan has been an active and long-term supporter of Right to Dream, and he shares our values of wanting to use football to deliver long-term social impact and change.

Juan Mata won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and has enjoyed a decorated career.

Juan Mata won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and has enjoyed a decorated career. ( 

Image:

Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League, among many other titles, he is a serial winner, and in San Diego, we are committed to building a winning team for the long term.”

San Diego FC will join MLS as an expansion team in 2025 after being approved by the league on May 18, 2023. It will become the 30th team in MLS, and play its home matches at the Snapdragon Stadium, which holds up to 35,000 fans.

Hirving Lozano has already been signed as the first Designated Player in club history, after signing a four-year deal through 2028. The 29-year-old winger will leave Eredivisie champions PSV to join the MLS club on Jan. 1, 2025.