Jaime Mata

Girona After scoring 32 goals over two seasons, Mata moved to Segunda División after agreeing to a two-year deal with Girona FC on 18 June 2014. He played his first match as a professional on 24 August 2014, starting in a 1–0 home win against Racing de Santander. He scored his first goal six days later, the winner in a 2–1 away victory over AD Alcorcón.

On 11 June 2015, in the first leg of the promotion playoffs' semi-finals, Mata scored a brace in a 3–0 away defeat of Real Zaragoza.

Valladolid On 30 June 2016, after again being knocked out in the playoffs, Mata signed a two-year contract with Real Valladolid also of the second tier. He scored a career-best 35 goals in his second season at the Estadio José Zorrilla, notably netting a hat-trick in a 5–1 away rout of Lorca FC on 19 May 2018.

Getafe On 2 July 2018, Mata signed a three-year contract with La Liga club Getafe CF as a free agent, making his debut in the competition on 24 August at the age of 29 years and ten months in a 2–0 home win against SD Eibar where he played 79 minutes. He scored his first top-flight goal on 1 October 2018, the equaliser in a 1–1 away draw with RC Celta de Vigo.

In the following year, Mata scored braces against Deportivo Alavés, Celta and SD Huesca, being also named the competition's best player for the month of February. On 17 October 2020, he scored a penalty in a 1–0 victory over FC Barcelona, the club's first against that opponent since 2011. He totalled 14 league goals in his first season and 11 in the second, but featured more often than not as a winger in his later years; after manager José Bordalás' departure in May 2021 and until his return in April 2023, he struggled to get playing time.

Later career On 27 June 2024, the 35-year-old Mata signed a one-year contract with UD Las Palmas also in the top tier. He scored his only goals of the season on 31 October, managing four in a 7–0 away demolition of amateurs Ontiñena CF in the first round of the Copa del Rey.

Mata severed his ties in December 2025, in spite of having a one-year extension activated in June that year. On 9 February 2026, he joined Racing de Santander on a short-term deal.

International career On 15 March 2019, Mata was called up by Spain national team manager Luis Enrique for two UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Norway and Malta. He won his first cap against the former, after coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Álvaro Morata in the 2–1 win in Valencia.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Racing Santander Segunda División: 2025–26

Individual La Liga Player of the Month: February 2019 Segunda División Player of the Month: September 2017