SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC announced on Wednesday it had signed attacking midfielder Cristian Parano to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval and per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Parano returns to San Antonio for his third stint with the club having previously recorded 14 goals and 13 assists in 71 appearances across the USL Championship regular season and playoffs. The Argentine first joined the club ahead of the 2019 season, where Parano was named USL Championship Young Player of the Year following a breakout season that saw him become a fixture in the lineup with 32 appearances while posting seven goals, six assists and 53 chances created.

The 26-year-old returned to the Alamo City in August 2022, helping the team close out the season and secure its first USL Championship title as well as the Players’ Shield. In 2023, he scored two goals in 674 minutes before making the move to Sacramento Republic FC in August. His 13 assists at SAFC rank third-most in club history, while his 14 goals are tied for ninth-most.

While with Republic FC, Parano recorded nine goals and six assists in 76 appearances across all competitions from 2023-25. He also spent time in Portugal’s Primeira Liga with Paços de Ferreira (2020-23) and on loan in Greece’s Super League 2 with P.A.E. Chania (2021-22).