Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez hailed the importance of “continuing to chase your dreams” as he signed a professional deal with a US football club.
The 35-year-old, who played AFC Richmond striker Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV comedy series, has spent the last two months with the USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC and earned himself a professional contract.
Fernandez’s character Rojas exudes positivity, appearing in all three series of the show where he encourages others with his mantra, “football is life”.
The Mexican actor previously saw a promising football career curtailed by a knee injury when he was 15 years old.
After signing an undisclosed deal, Fernandez told his new club’s website: “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.
“I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC – the club, coaches, staff, and especially my team-mates – for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.
“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.
“Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams … so being here with the ‘Locos’ actually makes perfect sense.”
Sitcom Ted Lasso follows the story of an American football coach who is hired to manage struggling English football team AFC Richmond in west London.
Despite knowing nothing about the sport, Ted, played by Jason Sudeikis, inspires the team with his humorous and empathetic coaching style.
The show features Hannah Waddingham as the club owner, Brett Goldstein as football star turned coach Roy Kent, and Juno Temple.
Comedian and actor Goldstein celebrated Fernandez’s new sporting role with a post on Instagram stories including a screenshot of a news article alongside the caption “yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhhh!”.
Series four of Ted Lasso is set to premier on Apple TV in August.
