# Juan Mata Joins Japanese Top-Flight Club Vissel Kobe on Free Transfer
Former Spain international Juan Mata has joined Japanese top-flight club Vissel Kobe on a free transfer. The 35-year-old midfielder had spells at Chelsea and Manchester United in England, and was a free agent after leaving Galatasaray on 1 July.
Mata helped Galatasaray win the Turkish title last season but struggled for regular first-team football. He has an illustrious career, having been part of a Spain squad which won the 2010 World Cup. He also won the Champions League with Chelsea, who he joined from Valencia, as well as the Europa League and FA Cup with both the Blues and Manchester United.
## Juan Mata’s Career Achievements
Juan Mata has achieved a great deal in his career, including:
* Being part of a Spain squad which won the 2010 World Cup
* Winning the Champions League with Chelsea
* Winning the Europa League and FA Cup with both Chelsea and Manchester United
## Vissel Kobe’s Recent Success
Vissel Kobe are currently in the Japanese top-flight, having been promoted from the second division in 2018. They have enjoyed some success in recent years, winning the Emperor’s Cup in 2019 and finishing third in the J1 League in 2020. They also reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in 2019.
## Juan Mata’s Move to Vissel Kobe
Mata’s move to Vissel Kobe marks a new chapter in his career, and he will be hoping to help the club continue their recent success. He will be joining a team which includes former Barcelona players Andres Iniesta and David Villa, as well as ex-Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski.
The move will also see Mata reunited with his former Valencia teammate David Silva, who joined Vissel Kobe in 2019. Mata will be hoping to make an immediate impact at his new club, and help them challenge for honours this season.
## Conclusion
Juan Mata’s move to Vissel Kobe is an exciting one, and he will be hoping to make an immediate impact at his new club. He has an illustrious career behind him, and will be looking to add to his list of achievements with Vissel Kobe. It remains to be seen how successful his move will be, but it is sure to be an interesting one to watch.