Atlético Dallas announced on Monday their first player signing in a big way as they have signed avier "Chicharito" Hernández.
The veteran forward has signed a two-year contract with a club option for a third season, pending league and federation approval.
Known around the world by his nickname "Chicharito," Hernández is Mexico's all-time leading goal scorer and one of the country's most celebrated players, representing El Tri in multiple FIFA World Cups, Concacaf Gold Cups, FIFA Confederations Cups, and international competitions. Across nearly two decades, he has competed at the highest levels of world football, representing clubs that include Chivas Guadalajara, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United, Sevilla FC, and LA Galaxy.
"From the very beginning, our dream wasn't simply to launch another professional soccer club," said Matt Valentine, Founder and Chairman of Atlético Dallas. "Our dream was to build a club that truly belongs to Dallas. Javier believed in that vision… His career speaks for itself, but it's his leadership, humility, competitive spirit, and genuine love for the game that make him the perfect person to help write the first chapter in Atlético Dallas history."
The signing includes plans for Hernández to eventually move into the club’s sporting department, with ambitions of growing the sport in Dallas.
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Quick BDS Take
I've long wondered what a new professional team in Dallas would do from scratch and Atlético gives us a taste of that. Between playing in the Cotton Bowl downtown and now this signing, it shows they're going to be an intriguing watch next year.
This kind of move feel ambitious for the new club, as they look to market the team around both him and playing in the downtown area.
But this kind of move doesn't come free of questions. Hernandez hasn't played professionally since the end of 2025 when Chivas opted not to resign him. With Atlético not slated to begin play until next year, you have to wonder if this is more of a 'bring in a veteran guy for the locker room and fill seats in the stands' kind of move rather than actually make the team better for the long run.
