KOBE: Former Spain midfielder Juan Mata has joined Vissel Kobe on a free transfer, the Japanese club announced today.
Mata, a member of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in South Africa in 2010, has signed with the Takayuki Yoshida-coached outfit after leaving Turkish side Galatasaray.
Kobe are second in the current J-League standings, one point behind leaders Yokohama F Marinos, and face Kyoto Sanga today knowing a win will take them into pole position.
Mata had been without a club since leaving Galatasaray and joined Kobe after earlier spells with Valencia, Chelsea, and Manchester United.