“Ted Lasso” actor Cristo Fernandez has taken his role as a soccer player from the small screen to the soccer field after signing a professional contract with American second division team El Paso Locomotive FC, Reuters reports.
Fernandez, who played junior soccer in Mexico before retiring from the sport at the age of 15 due to a knee injury, played Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV+ series about a British team coached by an American coach.
In addition to his acting career, Fernandez, 35, has been trying to get back into professional soccer and trained with Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire reserve team earlier this year.
Before signing with El Paso on Tuesday, he went through a two-month trial period with the USL Championship club, which included one game in the preseason.
“(Soccer) has always been an important part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing at a professional level has never truly left my soul,” Fernandez told the club's website.
“Maybe I'm just a crazy person with crazy dreams,” he added.
El Paso, founded in 2018, ranks fourth in Group B of the USL Championship standings.
“Cristo is an excellent addition to our squad, adding another offensive dimension to our forward line,” said club head coach Junior Gonzalez.
“His passion for the game and the leadership qualities he brings to the locker room allow us to continue to develop the positive culture we want as a club,” Gonzales added.
