Mata joins the Japanese league J1 title chasers Kobe

Former World Cup and Champions League winner Veteran Spanish star Juan Mata has officially joined Vissel Kobe, the J-League first-division club in a free transfer said Sunday. The 35-year-old Spanish playmaker has been without a club after leaving Turkish club Galatasaray this summer and will join a Kobe side in the thick of the J1 title race.  Mata has been without a club since his departure from Galatasaray, and joined Kobe after he had experiences with Valencia, Chelsea, and Manchester United. The Japanese club, including former Barcelona and Spain star Andres Iniesta, was included in its ranks, before he left this summer, for the UAE team. Kobe is currently second in the J.League, one point behind leaders Yokohama F.C. Marinos.