Jaime Mata Gets the Boot from Las Palmas as Club Clears Deck for New Striker
Las Palmas terminate Jaime Mata's contract after disappointing spell yields zero league goals, making way for January reinforcements.
Jaime Mata Gets the Boot from Las Palmas as Club Clears Deck for New Striker
Las Palmas have torn up Jaime Mata’s contract after a thoroughly disappointing spell in the Canary Islands, with the club needing to free up a squad number for new attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Brief but Barren Spell
Mata’s time at Las Palmas has been proper pants, if we’re being honest. The veteran forward arrived with some pedigree in June 2024, but his stint with the yellow shirts has been anything but golden:
- 37 league appearances without finding the net once
- 4 Copa del Rey matches with 4 goals (at least he could score somewhere)
- Barely got a look-in under current gaffer Luis García this season
It’s been a right dog’s dinner of a spell for the experienced striker, who never managed to replicate the form that once made him a solid performer at Getafe.
January Shopping List Growing
Las Palmas aren’t mucking about in the transfer market, with the club already confirming Benedetti’s arrival and now actively hunting for another striker. Word is they might not stop there either, with a potential third signing on the cards.
In their official statement, Las Palmas thanked Mata for his “dedication while defending the badge” and wished him success in his future sporting and personal endeavors. Standard fare that, but reading between the lines, both parties will likely be relieved to move on.
What’s Next?
For Las Palmas, the focus is crystal clear - strengthen the attack and push on in the Segunda División. The club’s hierarchy clearly weren’t convinced Mata had the minerals to contribute to their campaign moving forward.
As for Mata himself, at 36, he’ll be looking to find one more decent move to round off what’s been a respectable career in Spanish football, even if his Las Palmas chapter is one he’ll want to forget in a hurry.
The writing’s been on the wall for some time with Mata barely featuring, but Las Palmas have finally pulled the trigger to make space for new blood up front. As they say in the East End, it’s time for him to take his plates down the apples and pears and find a new club.