Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernández signs contract with professional US club

• El Paso Locomotive describe forward as a great addition'

• Fernandez portrayed Dani Rojas in TV show

The Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez has taken his role as a footballer from the small screen to the pitch after signing a professional contract with the US second-tier side El Paso Locomotive. Fernandez, who played youth football in Mexico before stepping away from the sport at the age of 15 because of a knee injury, portrayed Dani Rojas in the Apple TV show about a British team with a US coach.

On the sidelines of his acting career, the 35-year-old had been pursuing a return to professional football and trained with the reserves of the Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire this year. Before signing for El Paso he underwent a two-month trial with the USL Championship club, which included a pre-season appearance.