Former Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer franchise San Diego FC.

The 36-year-old, a Chelsea Champions League winner who played 135 times for the club between 2011 and 2014 - scoring 33 goals and providing 53 assists, is actually still active in professional football, playing for Western Sydney FC in Australia's A-League.

Like many veterans of the sport he has never actually played in the MLS, though now his influence extends there as he becomes the first active footballer to become an owner of an American club and only the second professional after David Beckham, who owns Inter Miami, to be involved in MLS ownership.

Mata's Common Goal initiative, in which he pledges one percent of his salary to social causes, is a partner of the Right to Dream academy, which falls under the same ownership as the club.

"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," Mata told SDFC's club website.

"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."

San Diego were only founded in March 2023, so are very much in their infancy as a club. They are so new in fact that they are yet to make their MLS bow, which will come next year once the 2025 season gets underway. Their first major signing was Mexico international Hirving Lozano from PSV Eindhoven, whilst Northern Irish defender Paddy McNair is also destined to join from Middlesbrough.

"We are absolutely delighted that Juan Mata has joined the club as a partner," chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour added.

"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.

"As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League, among many other titles, he is a serial winner, and in San Diego, we are committed to building a winning team for the long term."