Ex-Man Utd and Chelsea star Juan Mata on verge of stunning return to football aged 35 in free transfer
JUAN MATA looks set to sign for Japanese side Vissel Kobe, according to reports.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United man, 35, was released by Galatasaray at the end of last season.
But now he has left European football for a new chapter in Asia.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, he has chosen the J-League outfit ahead of offers from the Middle East.
The agreement is understood to be "imminent" as he continues his 17-year playing career.
Mata's former Spain team-mate Andres Iniesta recently spent five years with Vissel Kobe.
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The Barcelona legend, 39, racked up 134 appearances for the side, scoring 26 goals.
He left earlier this year to join UAE side Emirates Club.
But Mata becomes the latest Spanish star to join Vissel Kobe - who have never won the J-League title.
He will take his vast experience of winning with him, having won the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League during his two-and-a-half seasons with Chelsea.
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He then moved to Man Utd were he spent eight years - winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
At international level, he scored ten goals in 41 caps for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Mata departed Old Trafford last year and went on to sign a one-year contract with Turkish giants Galatasaray.
He contributed three goals and two assists in 18 games, before being released in the summer.
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