2017 Concacaf Champions League champion joins FC Dallas following the conclusion of Liga MX’s 2020 Clausura

FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas has signed Pachuca forward Franco Jara to a pre-contract ahead of the 2020 season. Jara will join FC Dallas as a Designated Player upon the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window in July. He will also occupy an international roster spot, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Video Credit: Concacaf from FC Dallas vs. Pachuca in CCL Semifinal

“After we saw how well Franco Jara played against us during 2017 Concacaf Champions League matches, I promised myself that I would work to get him in an FC Dallas uniform if that opportunity ever became available,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “He is a proven goal scorer. We’re confident that when he arrives in North Texas, he’ll be able to contribute right away.”

Jara, 31, has scored 76 goals and recorded 19 assists in 158 appearances for Liga MX’s CF Pachuca since he joined in 2015. He was part of the team that won the 2016 Clausura that qualified them for the 2016-2017 Concacaf Champions League, where he scored six goals to help Pachuca win their fifth title, including two goals against FC Dallas in the Semifinals.

The Argentine striker started his soccer career in Arsenal de Sarandí’s youth system and made his professional debut for the Argentine’s Primera División team in a 1-0 loss against Argentinos Juniors on May 23 2008. Jara recorded nine goals and four assists in 50 appearances for the club before signing a five-year deal with Portuguese’s Primeira Liga side S.L. Benfica in 2010. While with Benfica, Jara scored 11 goals and added four assists in 47 appearances. He also had stints with Granada CF, San Lorenzo de Almagro and Estudiantes de La Plata between 2011-2014, recording nine goals and nine assists across all teams and competitions.

In 2015, Jara signed with Greek first-division team Olympiacos FC and scored six goals in 17 appearances, including the opening goal in the first half of the Greek Football Cup final against Skoda Xanthi FC that helped Olympiacos win their 27th Greek Cup title on May 23, 2015.

Jara has four appearances for the Argentina National Team. He was first called up on Jan . 19, 2010 and made his international debut for La Albiceleste in an international friendly match against Costa Rica on Jan. 27, where he scored the game-winning goal in the 3-2 win.

Name: Franco Jara

Pronunciation: Frahn-CO JAH-rah

Connect with Franco: Twitter | Instagram

Position: Forward

DOB: July 15, 1988 (31)

Birthplace: Villa Maria, Argentina

Hometown: Cordoba, Argentina

Height: 5-11

Weight: 154 lbs.

Nationality: Argentina

Transaction: FC Dallas signs forward Franco Jara to a pre-contract. Jara will be added as a Designated Player upon the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window in July.