Ted Lasso star signs professional deal with American second-tier side
Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez has joined US second-tier side El Paso Locomotive after impressing on trial.
The 35-year-old, who played AFC Richmond striker Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV comedy series, has spent the last two months with the USL Championship side and earned himself a professional contract.
After signing an undisclosed deal, Mexican Fernandez, who saw a promising football career curtailed by a knee injury at 15, told his new clubs website: Football has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart.
Im incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC the club, coaches, staff, and especially my team-mates for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.
This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be.
Maybe Im just a crazy man with crazy dreamsso being here with the Locos actually makes perfect sense.
El Paso Locomotive currently sit fourth in the USL Championship having lost three of their last four matches following an unbeaten start, and Fernandez will hope to be in contention for their next match against AV Alta on May 27.
'Man Utd want minimum of five summer signings'
Manchester United want a minimum of five summer signings, according to The Sun.
It is claimed that Man Utd's intention is to bring in three central midfielders, a left-back and a back-up striker.
A deal for a third midfielder would reportedly need to be financed by the sale of Manuel Ugarte.
The report also says a new No. 2 goalkeeper could be brought in to back up Senne Lammens.
It is also claimed that the Old Trafford side are primarily targeting players aged between 22 and 26.
Your Site News understands Man Utd want to sign at least two new midfielders this summer and are currently working on a shortlist of several leading contenders
It is understood that Man Utd have stepped up their interest in Atalanta midfielder Ederson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.
Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, Calos Baleba and Joao Gomes are names on Man Utd's longlist.
Man Utd step up interest in Ederson & Fernandes
Latest from Your Site News' team of reporters:
Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Atalanta midfielder Ederson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.
United want to sign at least two new midfielders this summer and are currently working on a shortlist of several leading contenders.
The aim is to position themselves to make an offer once their preferred targets come into focus and the current variables play themselves out.
In that vein, United will not give up on Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, but the increasing likelihood that he ends up at Man City means work has intensified on other players - and Ederson and Fernandes are high among them.
Ederson had looked destined for Atletico Madrid but a pivot from the Spanish club towards Wolves' Joao Gomes - another name on United's radar - in part because of the financials involved, has opened the door for United and other clubs on the Brazilian.
Reports of an agreement on personal terms between Ederson and United are not accurate, however, Your Site News has been told.
Fernandes too has impressed United this season along with a number of other clubs, and if West Ham are relegated - as they are 85% likely to do according to Opta - then it will be clearer how gettable he is and how much he will cost.
Brighton's Carlos Baleba also remains a top target for United and a lot of work on him has already been done, with Your Site News revealing their intent to try and sign him in January.
One source claims United would be keen get him in before the World Cup.
Aurelian Tchouameni also remains a player of interest to United but there is much still to play out at Real Madrid despite his clash with team-mate Federico Valverde, including the increasing likelihood of Jose Mourinho's arrival as manager.
Other names on United's longlist include Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Bournemouth duo Tyler Adams and Alex Scott.
Younger prospects include Lille's Ayoub Bouaddi and Olympiakos player Christos Mouzakitis.
Casillas: I don't want Mourinho at Real Madrid
Iker Casillas has demanded that Real Madrid do not hire Jose Mourinho as head coach.
Mourinho is highly likely to be named as Real's new boss - 13 years after he left his first stint at the club.
In Mourinho's final season, he dropped captain Casillas as No 1 goalkeeper in one of many tricky relationships he had with his players.
And Casillas says that while he has no personal issue with the Special One, he believes he is not the right man for the job.
"I have no problem with Mourinho. He seems like a great professional to me," Casillas wrote on X.
"I don't want him at Real Madrid. I think other coaches would be better equipped to coach at the club of my life.
"Personal opinion, nothing more."
Mourinho rumours continue as Real Madrid president calls press conference
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will address the media on Tuesday evening amid reports Jose Mourinho has agreed to return to the club as head coach.
The Portuguese is reported to have struck a deal with the Spanish clubs management, with Perez said to be the main driver in bringing Mourinho back to the Bernabeu.
Mourinho has been at Benfica since 2025 and previously served as Real Madrid coach between 2010 and 2013.
In his first spell Real won La Liga in 2012 and the Copa del Rey the season before. He moved to Madrid off the back of winning the Champions League with Inter Milan.
The 63-year-old left Madrid by mutual agreement at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Real appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as interim head coach in January following the departure of Xabi Alonso after less than eight months in charge.
Arbeloas stint has been a turbulent and eventful one. Real lost out to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and have been eclipsed by bitter rivals Barcelona in the race for La Liga.
There have also been numerous issues to contend with among his playing squad, not least a violent clash between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni last week.
Earlier this season Mourinho was accused of gaslighting Real forward Vinicius Junior by anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out in comments he made following the Champions League play-off clash against Benfica in February, when the Brazilian alleged he had been racially abused by Benficas Gianluca Prestianni.
Mourinho said to Amazon Prime: There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always.
The allegation of racism was found not proven but Prestianni was later banned for six matches three suspended and one already served by UEFA after admitting to using homophobic language towards Vinicius.
Chelsea... or Liverpool? | Where could Alonso end up?
Join Chelsea or wait for 'dream' Liverpool job? Alonso's big dilemma
Xabi Alonso has a big decision to make if he is offered the Chelsea job.
Managing Chelsea is still an attractive option for leading managers, but they are also aware that other jobs will be available this summer.
Alonso's dream job would be managing Liverpool, but as things stand there is no vacancy at Anfield.
He wants to manage in the Premier League and - despite what you have heard or read - he would take the Chelsea job in the right circumstances.
Merson: Liverpool will finish above Man Utd next season
Paul Merson says the fan reaction at Liverpool shows Arne Slot is up against it at Anfield, but theYour Sitepundit is still confident they will finish above Man Utd next season...
Flick to extend his contract with Barcelona until 2028
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said on Tuesday he will extend his contract with the LaLiga club until 2028 after they sealed a 29th league title.
Flick, whose current deal was due to expire in June 2027, is set to sign a one-year extension, with an option to prolong his tenure. His team moved to an unassailable 91 points with three games remaining, securing the title by beating arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
"I'll let you know - sorry - the last few days I've had different things to do," Flick, whose father died on Sunday, told reporters.
"Of course, I'm really happy about this (contract extension). They have given me and my team the confidence to work one or two years more, so for me it's like that.
"I think a lot of coaches would be happy if they get a contract of three, four or five years, but in Barca's case it's good to limit it. I really appreciate it a lot.
"We go to 2028 and then we'll see if everything is right, and if so, we can decide on one more year. The club has the right, and I have the right - I think it's a good deal."
'Anything can happen' Gomez unsure over Liverpool future
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez could join the growing list of senior players set for an Anfield exit this summer.
Gomez, who turns 29 on the final weekend of the season, has only a year left on his contract and a number of niggling injuries have restricted him to 15 starts in 31 appearances.
With 60m defender Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes in the summer, and fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni and the right-sided Conor Bradley both expected to be back after serious knee injuries, Gomez may find opportunities limited.
As the current longest-serving player at the club, joining in 2015, he still has plenty to offer in terms of experience and versatility, being able to play anywhere across the back four, but he may need to look elsewhere for first-team opportunities.
He has managed just 48 appearances over the last two campaigns and was linked with a move to Newcastle last season and AC Milan this term.
Asked if he had any thoughts on his future, Gomez said: No. I think anything can happen. I dont know is the honest answer.
Ive only got a year left so I dont know, but whatever is meant to be will be, I guess.
But Im so grateful to have had this time here at this club. Ill always be grateful to have had 11 years at a place like this. All I can do is be thankful and well see.
