Transfer: Juan Mata's new club confirmed

Former Spain midfielder, Juan Mata, has signed for Vissel Kobe as a free agent.

The Japanese club confirmed this in a statement on Sunday.

Mata, a member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad in South Africa in 2010, has joined the Takayuki Yoshida-coached side after leaving Turkish side Galatasaray over the summer.

Kobe sit in second place in the J.League standings, one point behind leaders Yokohama F Marinos.

They play Kyoto Sanga today, knowing victory will take them to the top.

Mata had been without a club since leaving Galatasaray and joined Kobe after earlier spells with Valencia, Chelsea and Manchester United.