Sep 14 (Askume) – Spain’s World Cup-winning midfielder Juan Mata says he is happy to be back playing for Western Sydney Wanderers after he arrived in Australia on Saturday to join the A-League club.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea man has signed a one-year contract with Aaron Stajcic’s Rangers to compete regularly after playing just 10 minutes at Vissel Kobe in Japan last season.
“I’m really looking forward to playing,” the 36-year-old told Australian media.
“I told the coach that I am looking forward to touching the ball again and training with my new team-mates, I feel good and I am sure it will be a good season.
“I just want to enjoy football. I want to do my best for the team. Every day in training I want to bring a high standard, professionalism and all my experience and knowledge to the games and, of course, I want to play football.”
Mata joins a Rangers team that has the most popular support in the A-League but has struggled to convert that support into trophies in recent seasons.
The Wanderers won the A-League in their debut season in 2013 and the AFC Champions League a year later, but Western Sydney have struggled since and finished seventh in the 12-team domestic competition last season.
However, a decade of disappointing success has not dampened the enthusiasm of the club’s die-hard fans, with dozens of supporters dressed in red and black gathering at Sydney Airport on Saturday to welcome the 2010 World Cup winners.
“I love playing this game and I’m still looking forward to it,” said Mata, who is hoping to start his first game against Wanderers’ arch-rivals Sydney FC on the A-League’s opening day on October 19.
“I just met the fans this morning and I can’t wait to see their celebrations – hopefully it’s the first game of the season and I know it’s going to be a big game.”
