Pachuca forward Franco Jara will join FC Dallas in July, as the MLS club announced Tuesday that it had signed the Argentine to a Designated Player deal.
Jara, who turns 32 on July 15, will make the move to Texas after the conclusion of Liga MX’s 2020 Clausura season.
Jara won the 2016 Clausura title and 2017 CONCACAF Champions League with Los Tuzos. He has spent time with Greek club Olympiacos and Portuguese side Benfica, along with several clubs in his native Argentina.
“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 in a statement. “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 has one goal in four caps for Argentina’s national team, with his last appearance coming in 2011.
FC Dallas also announced it had traded midfielder Jacori Hayes to Minnesota United for a third-round pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.
Hayes, 24, recorded two assists in 19 appearances with FC Dallas last season. He collected one goal and three assists across 38 matches in three seasons with the club.