Champions League winner and former Manchester United star announces shock career move after making just ONE appearance for last club... ending eight-month search for new home

Juan Mata's eight-month search for a new club is over, with reports suggesting the former Manchester United and Chelsea star is heading Down Under.

The veteran midfielder, now 36, left Japanese side Vissel Kobe in January after making just one appearance for the club, and was spotted training with Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland this summer while weighing up his options.

But according to Fabrizio Romano, the Spaniard, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, is heading to Australia after signing with A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers. 

'After winning leagues in Turkey and Japan, Juan Mata has just signed in as new for Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League,' Romano tweeted on Thursday. 

'He’s aiming to win another championship in a different country, massive move for Australian football.'

After spending eight years at United - winning the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup - Mata headed to Turkish giants Galatasaray, where he won the Super Lig. 

He then moved to Vissel Kobe last year, winning the J1 League despite having little impact on the pitch. 

The 36-year-old was also recently part of the BBC's coverage of Euro 2024 in Germany.

Mata's move follows another marquee signing for the A-League, with WSW's rival club, Sydney FC, unveiling former Juventus and Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa earlier this week.

Mata left a heartfelt message to Vissel fans on his Instagram, saying: 'Thank you very much to all my team-mates and all the people who are part of Vissel Kobe for these unique months with you.

'It has been an incredibly interesting experience that ended in the best possible way, making history, winning the league for the first time for our club.

'I'm really happy to have been part of your family at such an important moment that will be remembered forever! I wish you all the very best for the future!'

He paid special thanks to the fans, saying: 'Of course, thank you very much to our fans, you are my most special memory of these months, and I will keep your love and respect with me forever. Incredible people, incredible culture. I've learned so much from you.

'I'm looking forward to continuing enjoying football somewhere else, and hopefully to keep winning trophies, let the streak continue!'

Mata has won virtually every major honour for the European clubs he's played for, including Valencia, Chelsea and Manchester United, but it was a championship that had eluded him, until he ended up playing for Turkish giants, Galatasaray.

It was at Gala where Mata was part of the Super Lig-winning team of 2022-23, before adding a second championship to his CV, at Kobe.