A star from one of the most popular television series in recent years is moving from the screen to the pitch for his next career move.
Cristo Fernandez, who played effervescent footballer Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ award-winning “Ted Lasso” series, about a fictional English soccer club and its American coaches, will be playing professional soccer.
The 35-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, has signed with USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive FC, the club announced on Tuesday, May 12.
Fernandez, 35, is listed on the Locomotive roster as a midfielder. He had a two-month trial with the club and ultimately earned a contract, after earlier this year working out with Chicago Fire II, the MLS Next Pro reserve club for Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.
Fernandez isn’t just a TV soccer player. He played the sport in Mexico until an injury forced him to quit at age 15, and would go on to pursue acting.
Decades later, he got a shot with El Paso, which plays in the same league and conference as Phoenix Rising FC. He played 30 minutes of a preseason match for the Locomotive. That turned into an extended tryout and a chance to play professionally.
“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 told the Locomotive website.
🇺🇸🎬🇲🇽 From TV screens to professional soccer!
35-year-old Cristo Fernández, best known for playing Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, is officially beginning a new chapter on the pitch 👏🤯
The Mexican actor has signed with El Paso Locomotive FC.
pic.twitter.com/XQ6GZSaZta— NextMex (@NextMexOficial) May 12, 2026
“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,” Fernandez added. “Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams… so being here with the “Locos” actually makes perfect sense.”
Locomotive head coach Junior Gonzalez said Rojas can add to the locker room culture with the club, a role which he performed well as an actor and positive force in the fictional AFC Richmond locker room on “Ted Lasso.”
Rojas, whose catchphrase on the show was “Football is life!” was in Arizona for the Club America vs. Chivas exhibition match at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025. He made a promotional appearance and has since been featured in other TV commercials.
He is set to return to the Phoenix area when Rising FC hosts El Paso on Sept. 19. Before that, he will face the Rising in El Paso on June 13.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ‘Ted Lasso’ star Cristo Fernandez joins El Paso of USL soccer
