The San Jose Earthquakes signed star forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango to a deal through December 2027 plus a pair of club options Friday.
Arango, 30, had 13 goals and seven assists in 30 matches last season, his first with the Earthquakes. He made $2 million in base salary last season, according to the MLS Players Association salary database.
“I’m very happy to sign a new contract and stay in San Jose,” Arango said through an interpreter. “We have unfinished business. I believe in the project, and my family and I want to make history here.”
Arango has spent the five seasons in MLS and has 66 goals and 26 assists in 122 matches (108 starts).
He scored 30 goals during a two-season stint with Los Angeles FC (2021-22) and spent the next two seasons with Real Salt Lake (2023-24). He established career bests of 17 goals and 12 assists in 2024 before being dealt to San Jose.
“We’re pleased to re-sign Chicho Arango,” Earthquakes sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said. “He has consistently been one of the league’s top scorers while also displaying the ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. We look forward to seeing him in our attack for years to come.”
Prior to his MLS stint, the native of Colombia played in South America and Portugal and made his pro debut at age 17 for Envigado FC in Colombia. He had two stints for the Colombian team Millonarios and scored 21 goals in 53 matches the second time around (2019-21).
In 2023, Arango scored five goals in 11 matches for Club Pachuca of Liga MX before joining Real Salt Lake.
The signing of Arango comes just days after the Earthquakes saw long-time team standout Cristian Espinoza (2019-25) sign with Nashville SC.
San Jose (11-15-8, 41 points) finished 10th in the Western Conference last season, just missing out on the final playoff spot.
–Field Level Media
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