Western Sydney Wanderers have announced the signing of world champion Juan Mata ahead of the 2024-24 A-League Men season.

Mata, 36, joined Wanderers as a free agent after leaving J1 League club Vissel Kobe, where he was part of the team that won Japan’s top flight by seven points.

The Spaniard, who is set to become one of the most decorated footballers to ever play in Australia, has won numerous trophies during his career with clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Valencia and Galatasaray, as well as The Roya triumph at the 2010 World Championships.

The move comes just days after Wanderers’ bitter rivals Sydney FC signed former Bayern Munich and Juventus star Douglas Costa on a two-year deal, with the two signings contrasting sharply with other A-League clubs entering a period of voluntary austerity.

“Having Juan join our club and team is invaluable,” said Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic.

“He is one of the most respected, talented and awarded footballers of his generation. He brings not only a talent for football and success rarely seen in Australian club football, but also the humility to share his experiences and insights.

“Juan will help our team play ‘on the pitch’, but more importantly he will be an important figure who will drive the development and strengthening of our young squad.

“This is a great day for our football club and I’m sure all Wanderers fans will be excited to see what this team can deliver next.”

Despite his background, Mata played just 10 minutes for Kobe after signing in September as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and was benched five times before the season ended in December.

Since leaving Manchester United for the 2022-23 season, he has made 18 appearances for Galatasaray in all competitions, scoring three goals but only playing for a total of 495 minutes.

This will see greater attention paid to his ability to stay in the game for Wanderers, given that in a season played in the hot Australian summer months and on pitches renowned for their hardness, important A-League Men signings have earned a reputation throughout the league’s history.

Alessandro Del Piero’s move from Juventus to Sydney FC in 2012 helped propel the club into its heyday, but in recent years the likes of Luis Nani, Daniel Sturridge and Keisuke Honda have struggled to settle at their new club.