MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United smashed the clubs transfer record to sign Juan Mata from Chelsea for 37. Michael Bennett Seahawks Jersey .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. The Spain midfielder was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea after losing his place in the team since Jose Mourinhos return as manager last summer. The move, which is the most high-profile yet in Europes January transfer window, will guarantee Mata is back playing regular football ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. It is also a statement of intent from United amid a tough period for new manager David Moyes, whose team is seventh in the Premier League and struggling to qualify for the lucrative Champions League. "United is the perfect place for me and I am excited at the chance I have to be part of the next phase in the clubs history," said the 25-year-old Mata, who was flown to Manchester by helicopter on Saturday so he could undergo his medical examination and agree on personal terms. "Chelsea is a top club and I have many friends there but you cannot turn down the chance to join Manchester United." Mata was Chelseas player of the year for the last two seasons but has spent most of the 2013-14 campaign on the substitutes bench, with Mourinho deciding to make Brazil international Oscar his No. 1 playmaker. Mourinho granted Matas request to leave Stamford Bridge in light of Uniteds interest and having already found a virtual replacement in Egypt winger Mohamed Salah, who is close to joining from Swiss team Basel. "I and everyone at Chelsea have massive respect for Juan and his big talent, and when he told us of his wish to move on because he wanted to play more, we did not want to deny him this opportunity," Mourinho said. "We want him to be successful in his career and as well as that, this transfer makes huge financial sense to us at Chelsea." Moyes has made a decisive move in the transfer market after being criticized for his sluggish dealings in the off-season, when United missed out on the clubs primary targets and brought in only one player -- Marouane Fellaini -- in the final minutes of deadline day. Fellaini has so far been a major disappointment and is out injured. Matas arrival will create a buzz around Old Trafford and excite fans who have seen United slip 14 points behind leader Arsenal in the Premier League, be eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle and, most recently, lose to Sunderland in the League Cup semifinals. Last season, United romped to the league title by 11 points under Alex Ferguson. Once Moyes gets strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney back fit, their combination with Mata and talented young winger Adnan Januzaj should ensure they seriously challenge Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton for the fourth and final Champions League spot. United is six points behind fourth-place Liverpool. "Juan is one of the finest playmakers in the game today and its a real pleasure to have secured his signature," Moyes said. Moyes confirmed Mata will make his debut in the league game against Cardiff at Old Trafford on Tuesday, although he may take time to return to top form after being underused at Chelsea in recent months. Mata played 135 times for Chelsea following his move from Spanish team Valencia in 2011. "I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea," Mata said, "but the time has come for a new challenge." Matas transfer fee eclipses the figure United spent on Dimitar Berbatov, who joined for 30.7 million pounds from Tottenham in 2008. Richard Sherman Seahawks Jersey . -- Brian Dawkins biggest contribution Sunday in the AFC wild card playoffs will be with his talking and not his tackling. Jon Ryan Seahawks Jersey . So far, his encore is even better. Wainwright became the National Leagues first eight-game winner by dominating Cincinnati again, and the St.So you were in college for four years and managed to maintain a 3.7 GPA. This is a draft known for its large amount of one-and-done players, how important was it to you to stay all four seasons?It was key for me. I mean it was an opportunity for me to get better, to get a degree and to do everything I wanted to do, I wanted to go to college. So I was able to just improve over those four years, clearly show that Ive been able to get better, work hard, the determination that I have as well to do something really good and get a degree as well as a number of academic accolades. So it was key for me. It taught me a lot of maturity, a lot of commitment and dedication. So I think that one-and-dones are not for everyone and if its not for you definitely take the time to stay in school and get a degree, it will help you in the long run. Was it ever difficult to balance basketball and school at the same time?Yeah, I mean a lot of the time when you have papers, homework, anything thats due, youve got to develop some good time management skills and thats something I think I really valued and really got out from college, being able to be good at time management skills, being able to prioritize and being able to put things in perspective that were most important. And for me that was at the time school and now its basketball. So now I think that its taught me a lot, but there are definitely times where its hard, definitely times after games and workouts where Im drained and I have to come back and do papers and homework and stuff like that. But ultimately it all works out and for me it was something that worked out for the best. When youre in the states, what is the one thing you miss most about Canada?(Image via Lays)Everything. I just miss being by family, I miss just being home. I also miss Tim Hortons [laughs], fuzzy peaches, ketchup chips, Ruffles all-dressed chips, just little things you wouldnt think about.Youve been posting the hash tag #DraftDreams. What does that mean to you? Charlotte was fun! On to the next! One step away! #DraftDreams — Melvin Ejim (@MelvinEjim) May 30, 2014Its important. Everything Im doing right now is for the drafts for the NBA and, you know, I just want to get people, especially on social media a way that they can follow me, a way that they can interact and feel like theyre coming along for the ride as well. So its definitely a cool thing to be a part of. But everything Im doing now is exactly what it means; its a draft dream. Im working as hard as I can to make that dream come true and that draft on the 26th is what everyone right now is working towards. So its important. Its just a way for fans and people to give support and interact with me on a social media network. So which players did you grow up idolizing?I really like Hakeem Olajuwon.(Image via Sports Illustrated) He was Nigerian. I really liked his game and even when I was in college playing the four, I thought he was someone who I could look up to for skill work; I mean hes trained a lot great players like Kobe, and guys who are smaller. I also liked watching Reggie Miller; he was a competitor. And obviously Steve Nash, being a Canadian, being someone who cares so much about Canada, those are three guys I grew up idolizing.Steve Nash said before that you were underrated by NBA scouts on Twitter, what did it feel like to get that compliment from Steve? @M3llyM3I wayyyy underrated by NBA scouts. RT @YungBoiMayes: Yo Melvin had 48pts and 18 Rebss!!!!!!!!!!! — Steve Nash (@SteveNash) February 8, 2014It was cool. Anytime that you are going underrated and people are starting to pick up on what youre doing, especially someone as renowned as Steve Nash who definitely knows the game and understands what it means to be a good player, for him to go out and say something on a social network , especially when he doesnt have to, that was a pretty cool feeeling. Doug Baldwin Seahawks Jersey. Whenever you have someone like Steve Nash, who interacts with players and kids in colleges, to help you out and to be willing to be involved in your career, its great and its going to help you and its going to help basketball in Canada.Were you a big Raptors fan growing up?Yeah, I liked the Raptors because they were the only team we had. I wasnt watching any other sports or teams. Just watching them grow and develop, like through the Vince Carter years, and watching them really become a good team. Like this year, when people considered them not to have a good year, they were really able to overachieve. Thats great, and it shows perseverance. Theyve been able to a great job. You excited to workout with them tomorrow?Yeah. Anytime you can back home and work out for hometown team, youre always excited. You have the opportunity to work out for the team in your own backyard. Watching Vince Carter play, and watching those games, I never would have thought Id have the opportunity to play for them and to have the opportunity to work out for them and meet the people; its great, its refreshing. Its a gratifying opportunity. Did you play any other sports growing up?Yeah I use to play soccer, track and field and volleyball in high school. I played those competitively until tenth grade when I exclusively started playing basketball. Why did basketball stick out?(Image via Ames Tribune) It was just something I continued to get better at. When I went to school in the United States when I was 15 I was going there on a basketball scholarship and I didnt want to mess it up. Luckily, the school there didnt really offer any other sports I wanted to play so there was a chance for me to dedicate myself as a player.What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I have 11 siblings, I guess thats pretty surprising, not all with the same mother and father, but Im the oldest. I think when people see the things that I do and a lot of the academic stuff is something I try to preach because Im the oldest and I have brothers and sisters who look up to be and I want to set the best example that I can for them. My family and my siblings are the reason I go out and do what I do, Im trying to be the best role model I can be and guide them in the right direction.Whats your best basketball memory so far?I think obviously one of my best memories is the 48/18 game and that whole incredible experience.You know, the tournament runs, the last three years Ive had a great experience with a brand new group of guys and each team and each person has a special spot in my memory for the relationships and the things weve done together. When you get on an NBA court, is there going to be one guy youre playing against and just think "holy crap," Im playing against this guy?Right now, LeBron, Kobe and Kevin Durant and than there is guys like Paul Pierce, guys you would grow up watching whos a great player. I think Ill definitely have that moment but youve got to snap out of it quickly because youre going to be guarding and playing and playing against them, and you dont want to stand there with your mouth open. You have an admiration for these guys, but you got to shake it quick because now youre on the same page as these guys. I think that it may happen with a lot of people, but its only natural. So lets say you sign that NBA contract, whats the first thing you go out and purchase? Im probably going to get something for my mom, but Im not really a big spender, Im probably going to invest most of my money and make it last. Im not thinking about buying a huge car or a big house, Ill probably get something for my mom and my family and than open up a saving account and invest my money. Thats really how you set yourself up in the future. Dont forget to check out BarDowns sit-down with fellow Canadian NBA draft prospect Tyler Ennis. ' ' '
