Cristo Fernández, who plays Dani Rojas on Apple TV's "Ted Lasso," has signed a contract to join El Paso Locomotive FC of the United Soccer League, the team announced on Tuesday.
“Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” said Locomotive head coach Junior Gonzalez. “His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club.”
The 35-year-old Fernández has been on trial with the team for the past two months and even participated in a preseason match. That wasn't the only soccer action Fernández saw over the winter as the Chicago Fire confirmed that the actor had been on trial with the MLS club's second team as well.
Fernández had soccer-playing dreams as kid, even suiting up for Mexico's Tecos Fútbol Club. But a serious knee injury ended that goal and rerouted his future toward acting.
“My grandma and my mom used to say, ‘Cristóbal only speaks, breathes, talks, dreams, everything fútbol’ — soccer was literally my life,” Fernández told NBC News in 2021.
The Locomotive sit in fourth place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference standings with a 4-3-2 record. They next play May 27 at home against AV Alta FC.
Season 4 of "Ted Lasso" premieres in August. There has been no confirmation if Fernández’s character is returning to the show.
