10 Players You Forgot Played For Real Madrid

Juan Mata has been in the Premier League for so long that its easy to forget he once played for Valencia too.

He started his professional career with the Bats and enjoyed four successful years. But what's also almost forgotten is that he too, came through the ranks at Real Madrid's academy.

After spending a few years with Real Oviedo, he joined La Fabrica in 2003 and another three years later, switched to the Castilla side where he was a star performer alongside Alvaro Negredo, netting 10 times.

In most cases, such a player would receive a call-up from the senior side, but Mata was sold to Los Che that summer who triggered the buyout clause in his Real Madrid contract.

Since then, his career has taken an upward trajectory and won several trophies, including the Champions League with Chelsea as well as the Europa League with them and Manchester United too.