Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has joined USL Championship side Atletico Dallas, returning to football after months without a club. The 38-year-old, who left C.D. Guadalajara last December, will play for the newly-founded expansion team in the second tier of U.S. soccer.
Chicharito Returns to Football
Hernandez spent five years at Manchester United from 2010 to 2015, scoring 59 goals in 157 appearances and winning two Premier League titles. After leaving United, he played for Real Madrid, West Ham, Sevilla, Bayer Leverkusen, and LA Galaxy before returning to his boyhood club Guadalajara in 2024.
Since leaving the Mexican club last year, Hernandez had been without a team but recently hinted at a career change by posting cooking videos on TikTok. Now, he has signed with Atletico Dallas, which will begin competing in the USL Championship in the 2027 season.
Building a Legacy in Dallas
Speaking about his move, Hernandez said: “I've been fortunate to live the dreams that every young footballer hopes to experience. 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.”
He added: “I believe Dallas deserves a club that reflects its passion for football, its diversity, and its future. I want to help create a winning culture, inspire young players across North Texas, and give our supporters a team they can believe in from the very beginning. I didn't come here simply to finish my career. I came here to help build the future of football in Dallas.”
Hernandez will make his debut for Atletico Dallas when the 2027 season begins.
