An actor who portrayed a forward in a soccer-themed TV series has realized his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
El Paso Locomotive FC, a club in the USL Championship (the second tier of professional soccer in the United States), announced on Wednesday that they have signed Cristo Fernández (35) as a striker, pending league and federation approval.
The terms of the contract were not disclosed per club policy.
Fernández is best known for playing Dani Rojas, the Mexican striker in the hit sports comedy series *Ted Lasso*.
According to the club, Fernández underwent a rigorous two-month trial period before earning a contract. During that time, he regularly participated in training and even played in a preseason match against New Mexico United.
Born in Mexico, Fernández initially pursued a soccer career with the youth academy of Tecos FC, but a serious injury at age 15 forced him to quit the sport. He later turned to acting and other pursuits, but never gave up on his dream of turning professional.
Expressing his gratitude through the club, Fernández said: “Soccer has always been a huge part of my life and my identity. No matter where life took me, the dream of becoming a professional player never left my heart.” He thanked the coaching staff, teammates, and the club for the opportunity.
He added: “This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and chasing your dream no matter how unexpected the path may be. Some might call me crazy for chasing such an impossible dream, but that’s probably why I perfectly fit in with El Paso.”