Melbourne Victory star signing Juan Mata heading to Mandurah, Bunbury for pre-season tour against Perth Glory

Mandurah and WA’s South-West are expected to host FIFA World Cup winner and former Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Mata’s first days as a Melbourne Victory player. Victory unveiled the Spanish acquisition as their prized signing on Monday, with the 37 year-old opting to remain in Australia upon the completion of his stint with Western Sydney Wanderers. And with the A-League Men giants set to jet across the Nullarbor this week to face Perth Glory, Mata will ramp up his preparations a month out from the season’s start. The West Australian understands Mata will fly out with his new team ahead of their two-game regional series against Glory, which begins this weekend. While it is considered unlikely the 2010 World Cup winner will line up for Victory at Peelwood Reserve in Halls Head on Sunday, Mata is a stronger chance to take to the field against Perth at Hay Park in Bunbury the following Wednesday. In his prime, the attacking midfielder was one of the best players in the English Premier League and won both the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2012. After heading north and joining the Red Devils on a then club-record transfer fee of $76m AUD in early 2014, Mata went on to play almost 300 games for United. Following short-lived stints with Turkish giants Galatasaray and Japanese side Vissel Kobe, Mata signed with the Wanderers last year to much fanfare. However, the playmaker played just 599 minutes and started only seven times across 23 appearances in Western Sydney, with Mata appearing to not fit coach Alen Stajcic’s rigid 4-2-2-2 system.