Juan Mata has followed in David Beckham's footsteps by becoming the owner of an MLS team, after announcing his involvement with the investment group of San Diego FC. The ex-Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder, currently playing for Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australian A League, is the first active player to partner with a US franchise. San Diego will join the Western Conference starting in 2025.

The expansion slot was awarded in May 2023, with San Diego selected over Las Vegas, whose bid was supported by Aston Villa's owners. The 2025 launch means Mata won't be able to participate as a player; the Spanish midfielder, released by Vissel Kobe in January, signed with Sydney as a free agent in September. Now, he holds a minority stake as a co-owner while continuing his professional career, unlike David Beckham, whose ownership of Inter Miami was part of his MLS contract with LA Galaxy but was only announced post-retirement.

San Diego FC is owned by British-Egyptian billionaire and former Conservative Party donor Mohamed Mansour, and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, a Californian Native American tribe. They reportedly paid $500m (£395m) for the expansion slot. Mansour, a former transport minister under Hosni Mubarak, was knighted by Rishi Sunak in March after donating £5m to the Tory party. In 2021, the Mansour Group acquired the Right to Dream football academy in a $120m deal, which is where Mata's connection originates. Founded in Accra in 1999 by ex-Manchester United scout Tom Vernon, Right to Dream became part of Mata's Common Goal charity. Vernon is a founding partner of San Diego.

Right to Dream, a non-profit, also owns FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark and FC Masar in Egypt. In a statement released Wednesday evening, Mata said: "Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something special in a city and league experiencing remarkable growth. The commitment of both the Club and Right to Dream to community impact, excellence, and long-term success aligns perfectly with my 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."

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