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Mexico icon Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has found a new club and will extend his playing career with United Soccer League expansion outfit Atlético Dallas.
The all-time leading scorer for the Mexico national team will make his return to competitive football after last featuring in Liga MX for hometown club Chivas through the end of 2025. Atlético Dallas will join U.S. soccer's second division as its newest franchise when the new season kicks off in 2027.
Chicharito signed a two-year deal with an option for a third year, and the agreement also includes a pathway for him to transition into a role within the club's sporting structure after his playing days are over, according to The Athletic.
"Hey Dallas, I'm here," Chicharito said in a welcome video shared on the club's social media channels. "Very excited to make history with you. See you soon guys."
Chicharito Looking For Redemption in New Chapter
Chicharito has not featured in a competitive match since his underwhelming second spell at Chivas in Liga MX came to an embarrassing end last November. In what stands as his most recent appearance, he squandered a late penalty in the quarterfinals against Cruz Azul — a miss that cost his team a place in the semifinals.
That missed spot kick served as a fitting symbol of his disappointing second stint at Chivas. Since arriving at the Liga MX club in January 2024, he made just 41 appearances across four seasons and managed only four goals. In his final campaign during the Apertura 2025, he came off the bench in just seven matches.
Prior to that, Hernández had enjoyed a promising start to his time at LA Galaxy after joining the MLS club following his departure from European football in early 2020. After two encouraging seasons, he suffered a torn ACL in the summer of 2023, and the once-lethal striker was never able to recapture his pre-injury sharpness.
His on-field displays left much to be desired. Away from the pitch, he became a frequent subject of controversy, including receiving a fine from the Mexican football federation after posting a video deemed to be "promoting sexist stereotypes."
Chicharito was unable to secure a new club following his final appearance for Chivas, spending the first half of 2026 weighing up whether to continue playing or call it a career. Most recently, he appeared as a pundit in Fox Sports' coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
Now, Chicharito has a new home where he'll look to bring his career to a far more positive conclusion than the one his recent Chivas chapter suggested.
Chicharito Is Looking Forward to 'Doing What He Loves Most'
After earning widespread praise for his work as an analyst over the summer, Chicharito made clear that lacing up his boots again is what excites him most now that he has secured a new club.
"Playing football again," Chicharito said when asked what he's most looking forward to, via The Athletic. "What I love to do the most since I came to this world is playing football. If everything goes in the way that we envision, I think the league is going to grow.
"This team is going to grow, and I'm gonna have so much fun, and hopefully I can give good performances—a lot of goals, win games, have a very good chapter with this team and this organization."
Chicharito Está Aquí. pic.twitter.com/524OSuSJRG
Atlético Dallas founder and chairman Matt Valentine admitted that "never in my wildest dreams thought we could have a player of his caliber right off the bat."
At 38, Chicharito sets off on the final adventure of a career that featured moments of brilliance at storied clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid. He may no longer be the electric, fresh-faced forward who burst onto the world stage in 2010, but after such a remarkable journey, signing off with a project that genuinely wanted him feels like a fitting farewell.
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"I believe Dallas deserves a club that reflects its passion for football, its diversity and its future," Chicharito said in a statement. "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."