Auckland has signed Shrewsbury Town striker Max Mata on a season-long loan deal. The 23-year-old New Zealand international struggled to make an impact in his first season at Shrewsbury after signing a three-year deal last August. Mata scored just once in 26 appearances, mostly coming off the bench, in Town’s win over Port Vale in November. Shrewsbury had the lowest goal tally in the EFL last season with Mata contributing just one goal.
Mata started his career in New Zealand before playing in Switzerland, Estonia, and the USA. He then moved to the Republic of Ireland to join Sligo Rovers in 2022 where he scored 11 goals in 23 games. Despite his struggles at Shrewsbury, Mata finished the 2023-24 season back on loan at Sligo where he scored four times. Despite his difficulties, Mata has nine full caps for the New Zealand national team.
Following the retained list issued by director of football Mickey Moore and head coach Paul Hurst in April, Mata was one of only nine players left on contract at Shrewsbury Town. Despite his difficulties at Shrewsbury, Mata now has the opportunity to showcase his skills back in his home-town club Auckland in the A-League.
