The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango to a new contract running through December 2027, with additional club options.
Arango, 30, scored 13 goals and made seven assists in 30 games last season, his first with the Earthquakes. His base salary was $2 million last year, according to MLS Players Association data.
“I’m really happy to sign a new contract and stay in San Jose,” Arango said through an interpreter. “We have unfinished business. I believe in this project, and my family and I want to make history here.”
He has played five seasons in MLS, scoring 66 goals and contributing 26 assists in 122 matches (108 starts).
During his time with Los Angeles FC (2021-22), he scored 30 goals and spent the next two seasons with Real Salt Lake (2023-24), where he recorded career highs of 17 goals and 12 assists in 2024 before joining San Jose.
“We’re excited to re-sign Chicho Arango,” said Earthquakes sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena. “He has been one of the league’s top scorers and has a knack for creating scoring opportunities for teammates. We look forward to having him as part of our offense for years to come.”
Before joining MLS, the Colombian player had a career in South America and Portugal, making his professional debut at age 17 with Envigado FC in Colombia. He played two times for the Colombian team Millonarios, scoring 21 goals in 53 matches in his second run (2019-21).
In 2023, Arango netted five goals in 11 games for Club Pachuca in Liga MX before moving to Real Salt Lake.
This signing occurs just days after long-time player Cristian Espinoza (2019-25) transferred to Nashville SC.
San Jose finished 10th in the Western Conference last season with a record of 11-15-8, missing the last playoff spot.
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