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Report: Nashville SC sign winger Cristian Espinoza

By Thomson Reuters Jan 7, 2026 | 10:21 AM

Nashville SC reached a deal with star free agent winger Cristian Espinoza, The Athletic ‍reported on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Argentina native will join the club as its third designated player alongside Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, per ‌the report.

The two-time MLS ‌All-Star spent the past seven seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes, reportedly one of the numerous teams from MLS ​and abroad to make him an offer this offseason.

Espinoza ‍recorded 36 goals ​and 70 assists in ​218 MLS matches (211 starts) with the ‍Quakes from 2019-25. His 83 assists across all competitions are a franchise record.

His contract expired after the 2025 season, when he ‍collected four goals and 12 assists in 31 league matches.

In Nashville, he takes ‍the ‍designated player spot vacated ​by the departure of ​veteran ⁠defender Walker Zimmerman, who ‌signed with Toronto FC in free agency.

Nashville opens the 2026 MLS regular season at home against the New England Revolution on Feb. 21.

–Field ⁠Level Media