Ex-Man United star and Serie A icon make surprise move into British football

Juan Mata and Giorgio Chiellini have made a surprise move into British football on the heels of Luka Modric's shock investment in Swansea City, according to reports.

Former Manchester United star Mata is currently playing Down Under, after signing for the A-League's Melbourne Victory earlier this month.

The 37-year-old had previously played for the Western Sydney Wanderers, but spent the majority of last season on the bench.

By contrast, Euro 2020 winner Chiellini hung up his boots three years ago after a successful final two seasons at Los Angeles FC.

But both players have decided to take a different position in the game, moving into club ownership as part of the Mercury13 group.

Mata invested in the company, which already owns a majority stake in Italian side Como FC's women's team, earlier this summer, while Chiellini has been an investor since last September.

And now both men are part of the majority ownership group at WSL2 side Bristol City Women.

As per the Times, the stake purchased from Steve Lansdown and his Bristol Sport Group is 'significant'.

Both Mata and Chiellini are also expected to be present at Ashton Gate over the season, with co-founder Victoire Cogevina Reynal adamant that they will be hands-on in the multi-club ownership group.

'Yes, absolutely (they will attend some matches),' Cogevina Reynal said. 'They're incredible footballers, but they're also incredible human beings who truly believe in what we're building.

'They've been very helpful behind the scenes for Como and I'm sure they will do the same for Bristol City.'

Since purchasing Como's women's team in March 2024, the club have tempted one of the biggest names in the game - Alisha Lehmann - to the picturesque lakeside club.

Mercury13 are thought to be intent on investing £73million into the women's game, with Bristol City set to benefit - and attempt to compete for top signings like fellow multi-club side London City Lionesses.

The London club are owned by Michelle Kang, who also owns Washington Spirit, and OL Lyonnes, Olympique Lyon's women's team.

Mata and Chiellini are just the latest football stars to have invested in club ownership this year.

Modric bought a minority stake in Swansea City in April 2025, and is believed to have brought property in the area to further deepen his commitment to the Championship club.