Former Manchester United star Juan Mata becomes first active footballer to hold stake in MLS club

Mata currently plays for the Australian team Western Sydney Wanderers.

San Diego FC, an MLS expansion team, confirmed on Wednesday that former Spain international and World Cup champion Juan Mata is now part of the ownership group.

Mata, who plays for Western Sydney Wanderers of the Australian A-League Men, is the first-ever active football player to possess a share in an MLS franchise. He is just the second international player to hold shares in an MLS team, after David Beckham, who co-owns Inter Miami CF.

The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, a Native American band with a reservation close to El Cajon, California, additionally serve as a part of the ownership group of San Diego, which will start play the following season and are run by Sir Mohamed Mansour, an Egyptian entrepreneur and club chairman.

In addition, Mansour manages the Right to Dream program, a soccer program with locations in Ghana, Egypt, and Denmark, as well as the Danish team FC Nordsjaelland.

“We are absolutely delighted that Juan Mata has joined the club as a partner,” said 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.”

In 2017, Mata, 36, established the Common Goal initiative, dedicating one per cent of his income to charitable organizations. Right to Dream (RTD) is partnered with Common Goal.

In addition to his World Cup achievements, Mata has had a stellar playing career, winning the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2012 with Spain.

“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 released by the team.

“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.”

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