Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez joins USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive in 2026

Mexican actor Cristo Fernandez, known for playing Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, has signed with El Paso Locomotive FC after a two-month trial.

Actor turns footballer again Cristo Fernandez, the Mexican actor who portrayed Dani Rojas in the popular Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso from 2020 to 2023, has made a return to professional soccer. Fernandez, aged 35, signed with El Paso Locomotive, a team competing in the USL Championship, following a two-month trial period with the club. The move marks a significant shift from acting to competitive football after years away from the sport at a professional level. ## Early career and injury setback Fernandez began his football journey in his hometown of Guadalajara, where he played in youth football before stepping away from the game entirely at just 15 years old. His departure from the sport came after a knee injury forced him to leave the game behind. Despite this early setback, football remained a central part of his life and identity, shaping his personal and professional path in the years that followed. ## Breakthrough with Ted Lasso After relocating to London, Fernandez’s life took an unexpected turn when he was cast in the hit series Ted Lasso. The show, which ran for three seasons, went on to achieve widespread acclaim and multiple award wins. Fernandez’s portrayal of Dani Rojas, a passionate and eccentric footballer, became one of the series’ most beloved characters, bringing him international recognition. ## Return to professional soccer Fernandez has always harbored a deep desire to compete professionally in football, and his recent signing with El Paso Locomotive FC fulfills that long-held ambition. Earlier this year, he participated in a trial with the reserve team of Chicago Fire, a Major League Soccer side, as part of his preparation for this comeback. His persistence and determination have now led him to secure a place on a professional roster once again. ## Fernandez’s emotional reaction Reflecting on this milestone, Fernandez shared his feelings about the opportunity. 'Football 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,' he said. He expressed immense gratitude to El Paso Locomotive FC, praising the club, its coaching staff, and his future teammates for embracing him and providing the chance to compete immediately. ## Embracing the journey ahead Fernandez emphasized that his return to professional soccer is about self-belief, taking calculated risks, and relentlessly pursuing dreams despite unexpected paths. 'This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be,' he stated. Adding a touch of humor, he joked, 'Maybe I'm just a crazy man with crazy dreams.. so being here with the 'Locos' actually makes perfect sense.' ## Club’s perspective on the signing El Paso Locomotive FC’s head coach, Junior Gonzalez, welcomed Fernandez to the team, highlighting his potential impact. 'Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,' Gonzalez remarked. The coach’s comments reflect the club’s confidence in Fernandez’s ability to contribute to their offensive strategy and overall performance in the league. ## Additional Ted Lasso news The article also references the return of Ted Lasso to television with its fourth series, which was published on March 14, 2025. Additionally, it mentions an option for readers to receive football news directly to their phones, published on August 16, 2025. These references provide context about the broader sports and entertainment landscape surrounding Fernandez’s career transition.