Man Utd cult hero Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez agrees deal to join club yet to play a match

MANCHESTER UNITED icon Javier Hernandez has agreed to join new American side Atletico Dallas before they’ve even played a match. Chicharito, now 38, is a cult figure at Old Trafford after winning two Premier League titles with the Red Devils in the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Javier Hernandez has signed for new American second tier side Atletico Dallas Credit: Getty Chicharito has signed a two-year deal with the team who won’t kick a ball until 2027 Credit: Atletico Dallas He has gone on to enjoy a career as a journeyman, later playing in the Bundesliga, La Liga, the MLS and his home country Mexico. Now the forward is taking on a new challenge in the USA after signing a deal with Atletico Dallas. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Dallas are a new expansion in the USL Championship, which is the second tier of US football. They were founded in November 2024 and don’t play their first game in the division until March 2027. Hernandez is their first signing and has penned a two-year deal with the club. A statement read: “The club today announced that Hernández, one of the most accomplished and recognizable footballers of his generation, has signed a two-year contract with a club option for a third season, pending league and federation approval. “Hernández becomes the first player in Atlético Dallas history.” Club chairman Matt Valentine added: “From the very beginning, our dream wasn’t simply to launch another professional soccer club. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK The Mexican is a cult figure at Man United after winning two titles under Sir Alex Ferguson Credit: Getty “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.” Hernandez said he wanted to create a “winning culture” at Dallas and hadn’t joined the club just to finish his career. He said: “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 has scored a total of 199 goals in his career, including 59 for United, 39 for Bayer Leverkusen, 17 for West Ham and 39 for LA Galaxy. He has struggled for confidence in front of goal in recent years after bagging just four goals in three seasons for Mexican side Guardalajara. Comment now