Mexican soccer great Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is set to continue his playing career in the United States, reaching an agreement with USL Championship newcomer Atletico Dallas.
The 38-year-old striker has signed a two-year contract that also includes a club option for a third year, making him the very first player to join the newly formed Atletico Dallas organization. The team is scheduled to kick off its inaugural season in 2027 under the direction of head coach Peter Luccin. The deal still needs to receive the green light from both the league and the federation before it becomes official.
Hernandez made clear he has bigger ambitions than simply winding down his career. “I didn’t come here simply to finish my career,” he said. “I came here to help build the future of football in Dallas.”
Atletico Dallas will call the Cotton Bowl home as it competes in the USL Championship, which serves as the second tier of professional soccer in the United States, one level below Major League Soccer.
Hernandez’s last competitive action came in November 2025, when he was playing for Mexican club Chivas. He finished that final season with three goals across all competitions before becoming a free agent.
His career resume reads like a tour of world-class clubs, with previous stops at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United, Sevilla, and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Reflecting on his journey, Hernandez expressed gratitude for what he has experienced. “I’ve been fortunate to live the dreams that every young footballer hopes to experience,” he said. “I’ve worn some of the biggest shirts in the world and played in incredible stadiums in front of passionate supporters. Opportunities like this, though, are different.”
On the international stage, Hernandez suited up 109 times for Mexico, netting 52 goals to become his country’s all-time leading scorer. His last international appearance came in 2019, and he most recently served as a television analyst during the 2026 World Cup.
His signing gives Atletico Dallas a recognizable star to build their first roster around. Luccin, who previously played as a midfielder for Atletico Madrid, was named the club’s inaugural head coach back in February.
Dallas will mark the eighth club of Hernandez’s senior career and represents his return to American soccer following his time with the Galaxy from 2020 to 2023.
