LONDON, England – On Thursday, Galatasaray revealed that they have signed former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata to a one-year contract with an additional year’s option. 

Mata, 34, transferred from Chelsea to United in January 2014 and made 285 appearances while playing there for eight years, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League. He was a talented playmaker for United, contributing to 51 goals and 47 assists.

Mata says in an announcement regarding his transfer, “I feel so good. I am excited and very motivated. I’m grateful for being here. Everyone is being very friendly. I can’t wait to win with Galatasaray.”

“Everyone told me what a nice atmosphere this place has. I’m waiting for the moment when I will experience this. I can’t wait to fight in front of our fans. Galatasaray is the team with the greatest success in Turkey. It is also a club that has a place in the history of football. Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.” He continues to share.

The Turkish team also revealed that they had signed Argentina forward Mauro Icardi on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain for the 2022–2023 campaign. 

Last month, Galatasaray also acquired the four-year contract of Arsenal’s midfielder Lucas Torreira from Uruguay.

On Juan Mata

Spanish-born professional footballer Juan Manuel Mata Garca for Turkish Süper Lig team Galatasaray as a midfielder. He could play on the wing but preferred to play as a central attacking midfielder.

Born: April 28, 1988 (age 34 years), Villafranca Montes de Oca, Spain

Weight: 61 kg

Full name: Juan Manuel Mata García

Partner: Evelina Kamph (2013–)

Salary: 8.32 million GBP (2022)

Dates joined: 2022 (Galatasaray S.K.), MORE

Parents: Marta Garcia, Juan Mata

Mata played for Real Madrid Castilla in 2006–07 after graduating from Real Madrid’s development program. He then signed for Valencia in the summer of 2007. Over the course of four seasons, he made 174 appearances for the team and established himself as an essential member of the midfield[3]. In August 2011, Mata joined English Premier League club Chelsea for an estimated fee of €28 million. In his first season, he won the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup. When Chelsea won the UEFA Europa League the following year, Mata and teammate Fernando Torres became the first athletes to simultaneously hold the Champions League, Europa League, World Cup, and European Championships.

Mata was traded to Manchester United for £37.1 million in January 2014 after losing favor under José Mourinho at Chelsea.

Having competed for Spain at the under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20, under-21, Olympic, and senior levels, Mata is a native of Spain. He competed in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup for the under-20 team. Mata participated in his first senior event, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, in June 2009. Mata was a member of Spain’s World Cup-winning team and scored his first goal for the senior team against Estonia on September 9, 2009, ensuring the country’s place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He started playing for the under-21 team again in 2011, and his efforts helped Spain win the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship that year in Denmark. He was a member of the Tournament’s Team of the Tournament and the Golden Player winner. For UEFA Euro 2012, Mata was re-inducted into the senior team, and after being used as a substitute, he scored Spain’s fourth goal in the championship match as Spain defeated Italy 4-0 to defend their title as European champions.

Career Stats at Manchester United