After showing off his skills in hit Apple TV show Ted Lasso, star Cristo Fernandez is signing a professional deal with El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championship, the team announced Tuesday.
The move is pending league and federation approval, and the terms of the deal were not initially disclosed.
Fernandez, who plays colourful striker Dani Rojas in the show, will now get the chance to see if his on-screen skills translate to the pitch. Like his character, Fernandez plays as a forward.
The 35-year-old is signing after a two-month trial with the team, where he became a “regular presence in training” and even made an appearance in pre-season against New Mexico United.
“Fútbol has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” Fernández said in a press release. “I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC — the club, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates — for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from Day 1.”
As a teenager, the Guadalajara, Mexico, native played at the youth level with Tecos FC — a team in Mexico’s top division — but stepped away from the game at 15 due to injury. He went on to pursue a career in acting, which brought him right back to his first love: soccer.
“This journey back to professional fútbol soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be,” he said. “Because as we say in Mexico: hay que seguirle echando ganas (let’s keep giving it our all). Siempre agradecido con Dios, mi familia y amistades por creer en mí (Always grateful to God, my family and friends for believing in me). Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams … so being here with the Locos actually makes perfect sense. ¡Vamos Locos!”