Columbus Crew signs Watford's Cucho Hernandez in $10m deal

The Columbus Crew have officially signed forward Cucho Hernandez from Watford. The fee, said to be the 7th-highest in MLS history, is around $10m. The Colombian forward comes at a great time, as the Crew sit 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

The 2020 MLS Cup winners have had its fair share of struggles due to the departure of Gyasi Zardes, the club's leading scorer in the past two seasons (21 G). Now, the Crew have its man that can put the ball in the back of the net and create havoc for defenses.

In 25 matches, 11 of which were starts, Hernandez scored five goals and contributed two assists for Watford in 2021/22. He was able to produce when given adequate playing time. Hernandez is an interesting signing for the Crew that should pay off, as he is a younger, hungry player that is still looking to break into his national team.

His creativity, pace and natural goal-scoring ability is going to do wonders for the team with the T-5th least goals scored through 15 matches (18 G). The 23-year-old should make for a dynamic duo on the wings with midfielder Derrick Etienne.

Hernandez will almost surely boost the Crew back into playoff contention, as the 12th place team is just five points out of a playoff spot. With its star in Lucas Zelarayan, the revelation in Derrick Etienne and now, the superstar signing of Cucho, the Columbus Crew's season could turn around quickly. The team now, on paper, looks like one of the best in the MLS.

Just two years removed from an MLS Cup win, it's clear that the Crew are going all-in. So when can we expect to see him in the black and yellow? Nobody knows how quickly he will be able to be in the Crew's lineup, but it is in the team's best interest to get him there as soon as possible.

Hernandez's signing caps off a star-studded transfer window that saw Toronto FC bring in former Napoli superstar Lorenzo Insigne, LAFC sign generational defender Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus, Chicago Fire ink Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri and the Houston Dynamo acquire Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera.