Columbus Crew has reached an agreement over the transfer of Colombian striker Cucho Hernandez from Watford, a source told ESPN.
Columbus will pay the club a record fee of just over $10 million, the source said, confirming multiple reports. Hernandez, 23, will initially fill a place for the young player assigned to the crew and will be on contract until the 2025 season.
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In 25 Premier League games during his only season in England, Hernandez scored five goals and scored two. Watford was relegated to the English Championship after finishing 19th last season.
Prior to his time at Watford, Hernandez played three seasons on loan in La Liga: one with Huesca after helping the club promote, then a season with Mallorca (2019-20) and Getafe (2020-21). He scored 11 goals in those three seasons, after 17 goals in the Spanish second division.
Hernandez has made two appearances for the Colombian national team, most recently in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
He is expected to be available to play for Columbus, who replaced USA international Gyasi Zardes for the Colorado Rapids earlier this season, after the MLS transfer window opens on July 7.
The Crew (4-5-4, 16 points) is 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference and has only overtaken two goals three times in 2022 and only once since March 12.
