Official: Nashville SC add Cristian Espinoza as Designated Player

NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville SC officially announced the acquisition of Cristian Espinoza on Thursday. Espinoza, 30, signs a contract through 2028 with an option through June 2029 and the 2029-30 season after leaving the San Jose Earthquakes as a free agent. He will be a Designated Player, alongside Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge.

Widely regarded as the premier free agent this offseason, Espinoza has been one of MLS's elite attackers since joining the league in 2019, albeit while stranded on an incredibly poor San Jose team. Despite making the playoffs just twice, Espinoza has been named to the MLS All-Star team twice, and leads all MLS players in primary assists. Since his move to MLS , his combined 99 goals and assists are behind only Hany Mukhtar (131), Lucho Acosta (112), Carles Gil (111) and Carlos Vela (104).

“Cristian has been one of the more creative and dynamic playmakers in Major League Soccer, and we are very excited to be able to add him to our club,” said Nashville SC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Mike Jacobs in the club's press release. “He makes our attacking corps more versatile and flexible, and we think he’s a tremendous fit and key piece to our group.” 

A right footed attacker, Espinoza can play as a No. 10, but has preferred to play as a right midfielder, able to either stay wide or drift inside to combine and deliver service into the box. His crossing is deadly, and with Sam Surridge preferring to shade towards the left, he looks like a perfect addition to Nashville's attack. In 2025, much of their progression came from the right flank, with Andy Nájar carrying the ball forward and combining with Hany Mukhtar. Adding Espinoza into that mix looks like an electric mix.

Espinoza was one of the most highly coveted players in free agency this offseason. After San Jose reportedly missed the deadline to pick up his option, he had interest from several teams, with The Athletic's Tom Bogert reporting that Portland Timbers and Los Angeles FC were two of the teams closer to obtaining his signature. Nashville beating them both to the punch is a sign of intent.

With Espinoza, Mukhtar and Surridge leading their attack, and complemented by talented young attackers like Ahmed Qasem, Jonathan Pérez and Warren Madrigal, Nashville look to have one of the most dynamic front lines in MLS. Combined with Jeisson Palacios returning after a standout debut season and the addition of highly-touted center back Maxwell Woledzi, Nashville look set to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and a true contender for MLS Cup.

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Espinoza came through the Huracán youth academy, making his professional debut for his boyhood club in 2013 at the age of 17. Espinoza scored 11 goals and added 14 assists in 70 appearances with Huracán, securing a move to Villareal in Spain's La Liga in 2016.

Espinoza never made a first-team appearance for Villareal, loaned out to Alavés (Spain), Valladolid (Spain), Boca Juniors (Argentina) and eventually San Jose Earthquakes, who made the move permanent in 2020. All told, Espinoza has logged 52 goals and 90 assists in 352 career appearances, averaging a goal contribution every 186 minutes.

Espinoza is the first Argentine player to play for Nashville SC. He will wear the number seven shirt.