Cristo Fernández, widely known for playing Dani Rojas in the popular television series Ted Lasso, has officially signed for El Paso Locomotive FC after successfully completing a trial with the American club.
The 35 year old Mexican actor joins the USL Championship side in a remarkable return to professional football more than a decade after leaving the sport because of injury.
Fernández previously played youth football in Guadalajara, Mexico, before a serious knee injury forced him to quit at the age of 15. He later relocated to London where he pursued acting and eventually rose to international fame through his role in Ted Lasso between 2020 and 2023.
Despite his success in entertainment, Fernández has continued to maintain a strong passion for football. Earlier this year, he also trained with the reserve side of Chicago Fire FC as part of his effort to return to competitive football.
Speaking after completing the move, Fernández described football as an important part of his identity and said the dream of playing professionally never disappeared despite his unconventional career path.
According to him, his return to football is inspired by passion, belief, and the determination to pursue long standing ambitions regardless of obstacles. He jokingly added that joining the “Locos” felt like the perfect fit for someone with ambitious dreams.
El Paso Locomotive head coach Junior Gonzalez welcomed the signing and praised Fernández as an exciting ing option for the team’s forward line.
The unusual transition from successful actor to professional footballer has attracted widespread attention from both sports and entertainment fans around the world. Fernández now hopes to prove himself on the pitch while balancing his growing acting career.
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