Colombian worldwide striker Cucho Hernandez He agreed a player-specific take care of The Crew because the membership’s new striker for a switch charge of between $10 million and $10.5 million from the latest relegation. Watford Soccer Membershipsources advised the newspaper Dispatch.
Hernandez is underneath the management of the membership for 3 and a half seasons, till 2025.
A number of shops, later confirmed by The Dispatch, reported that Hernandez and crew have been near finalizing a deal on Saturday. The deal has been finalized as of Monday and might be introduced as quickly as Tuesday.
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23-year-old Hernandez’s switch charge is the biggest buy price in Crew historical past, surpassing $8 million was paid to purchase Lucas Zelarayan earlier than the 2020 season.
Zelarayan has signed a contract extension this low season and has a complete compensation of $3.7 million, making him one of many 10 highest-paid gamers within the MLS. Hernandez is more likely to be the second highest paid participant on the crew, if not the best paid, in addition to one of many highest paid strikers in Main League Soccer.
The $10 to $10.5 million switch charge makes it one of many richest offers in MLS historical past.
For the primary season, Hernandez might be rated as a Younger Designated Participant, which suggests his charge on the utmost wage might be $200,000 – lower than that charged for a standard designated participant. He’ll change into a chosen participant the next season, which can incur a price of $612,500 this season.
Juan Camilo Hernandez Suarez’s signature, generally known as “Cucho”, ends lengthy search to Subsequent greatest soccer striker after, after Commerce Gyasi Zardes to open up a participant slot.
Hernandez, 23, suits the factors publicly set by the crew: a youthful striker, who might play early in his profession in his subsequent decade, a burgeoning younger expertise who could possibly be the face of the membership and make his identify identified within the league after a stellar yr at Watford.
Preliminary reviews of the crew’s seek for an attacker A deal was indicated for Argentine Gustavo Del Prete, however he was signed by Mexican membership Pumas. The Crew had a spare choice at Membership Tijuana and former Houston Dynamo participant Mauro Manotas.
However Hernandez is well probably the most firmly established of those three, bringing expertise from La Liga and the Premier League to MLS, which is unprecedented for any younger participant getting into the league.
Hernandez acquired a call-up to the Colombia nationwide crew for friendlies within the newest worldwide window after scoring 5 objectives in 25 appearances for Watford within the Premier League. Watford have been relegated to the English Championship on the finish of the season, which prompted Hernandez to think about taking part in elsewhere.
Hernandez signed for Watford on the age of 17 from his hometown membership Deportivo Pereira, however he didn’t seem for the English facet within the World First Division till final season, when he performed as a right-winger and led to a draw because the membership’s high scorer.
The striker was loaned to Colombia’s First Division earlier than shifting to Spain’s Second Division with S de Huesca in 2017.
He was the driving power in Huesca’s promotion to La Liga, the place he scored 15 objectives in 35 matches.
Hernandez spent two extra seasons in La Liga, one every with RCD Mallorca and Getafe, and scored 11 objectives in 79 matches. Watford then stored the listing for the next season.
Assuming he completes his visa and switch certificates, Hernandez might play with the crew on July 9 in opposition to the Chicago Hearth as quickly as potential. The MLS summer time switch window opens on July 7.
If he completes the right papers earlier than the switch window opens, Hernandez can prepare along with his new crew.
Crew common supervisor Tim Bezbachenko and coach Caleb Porter said firstly of their search that they have been searching for a striker who might talk properly with Lukas Zelarajan and would be capable to rating a minimal of 15-20 objectives.
Hernandez has already proven that he could be a dependable attacking participant within the two greatest tournaments on this planet. Now he could have the chance to take action as a face of privilege.