Who is Cucho Hernández, Watford's Colombian player?

Juan Camilo Hernández was born on April 22, 1999 in Pereira, Risaralda. He is known by the nickname 'El Cucho', and as a child, he lived in the Las Mercedes neighborhood of the city of Pereira, capital of the department of Risaralda.

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He is an only child and his father, Néstor Hernández, says that since he was very young Juan Camilo showed his passion for soccer and never showed any intention of doing anything else in life other than kicking a ball. 

For this reason, his father did not oppose him to achieving his dream and supported and encouraged him to do so. Although he was a good student, Don Nestor instilled soccer as a priority.

Where did he start playing soccer?

Juan Camilo Hernández began his training as a soccer player at the Indubolsas school, directed by Eider Carvajal. He then went on loan to the Dunga school where he was coached by Manuel Ramirez. 

His talent and condition soon led him to be called up to the Risaralda youth national team, where he had what seemed like it could become a drawback: he was the smallest of all and it is well known that in Colombia coaches usually give priority to players of good size. However, and to his good fortune, his body continued its development process and he increased his height by eating rice, eggs, and fried potatoes, his favorite food.

First tests as a professional

Cucho's first experience with Colombian professional soccer teams in the lower divisions came when he was only 12 years old. Juan Camilo and his father were in the city of Medellín for eight days so that the boy could try out for Atlético Nacional.

What Juan Camilo showed was liked by the ‘Verdolaga’ team, who offered him a contract with the institution, but with the condition that he had to stay only in the capital of Antioquia.  Don Néstor did not like the idea, since his son was still very young and ruled out signing a contract.

But that situation would not prevent him from the dream moment: in 2015 and with 15 years old, Deportivo Pereira, which participated in the B tournament, signed Juan Camilo. At that time he was in tenth grade at school and had to switch to studying at night to combine his studies with soccer practice and finish high school.

Colombian soccer debut

On April 6, 2015, Juan Camilo Hernández made his debut with Deportivo Pereira, in the match in which the team defeated Deportes Quindío 2-1. Meanwhile, the first goal scored by Hernandez wearing the shirt of the team from the capital of Risaralda was on September 5, 2015, in the match in which his team defeated Real Santander by a score of 3-2 in the city of Floridablanca.

While in Pereira, he and his father reached an agreement with Norman Capuozzo to become the player's agent. Capuozzo's good efforts resulted in the sale of his rights to Granada of Spain. 

However, it was necessary to wait until he turned 18 to be able to travel to Spanish territory, and therefore, in the first half of 2017, 'El Cucho' was loaned by Granada to America de Cali, a team with which he has the opportunity to play in the Colombian first division league to which the scarlets were returning after spending 5 years in the first B league. With the Cali team, he played 17 games between league and cup and scored 4 goals.

The leap to Europe

For the second half of 2017, the big step of his career took place: he left for foreign soccer, specifically to Spain. Granada, the team that had bought his rights, was relegated and decided not to count on Juan Camilo, so they sold the rights to Watford of England, a team that in turn ceded 'Cucho' to Huesca of the second division in Spain.

It was on August 19, 2018, that Hernandez made his Liga Santander debut and in nothing less than Huesca's 2-1 win at home to Eibar. His first goal in the Spanish top-flight came against Barcelona on September 2, no less. 

Looking ahead to the 2019-2020 season, 'El Cucho' was confirmed as a new player for Mallorca, also in Spain, and one season later, in August 2020, 'El Cucho' would sign for another Spanish club: Getafe.

After four years on loan with Spanish teams, Watford decided to bring him to its ranks to be part of the 2021-22 Premier League season, where he has scored two goals.

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