Max Andrew Mata

Max Andrew Mata is a New Zealand forward born in Auckland on 10 July 2000. He developed with Onehunga Sports and Auckland United before joining the Wellington Phoenix academy, where he made an early mark in the ASB Premiership. In December 2015, at 15, Mata became the competition’s youngest scorer and later its youngest player to score a brace. At 18, he moved to Grasshopper Club Zürich and subsequently gained professional experience with Nõmme Kalju, including a Champions League qualifying appearance against Celtic. He continued with Real Monarchs before establishing himself at Sligo Rovers, scoring 11 league goals in 23 matches in 2023 and earning a transfer to Shrewsbury Town. Mata returned to New Zealand with Auckland FC in 2024, contributing to their Premiers’ Plate success. He later returned to Ireland with St Patrick’s Athletic, where the centre-forward offers physical hold-up play and a strong work rate.