Gillingham have signed a young South American striker on loan from a club who believes he has “big, big potential.”
Jorge Cabezas Hurtado, 20, has joined on a day when the Gills have parted company with striker Macauley Bonne and there is speculation that Tom Nichols could also be leaving.
He’s the second new forward to arrive in the window after Josh Walker signed from Burton Albion on loan.
Gills’ head coach Stephen Clemence is determined to end the club’s poor form in front of goal and is using the final day of the transfer window to make changes he feels are needed.
Hurtado’s one Watford appearance came in the FA Cup where he made a 70th-minute appearance against Chesterfield in early January.
Speaking last month to the Watford Observer, the club’s head coach Valerien Ismael described what he likes about the young forward.
“I like his profile,” Ismael said. “He is young but has big, big potential.
“He’s a left-footed and strong No.9, fast and with great intensity to press. He’s very clinical in front of goal.
“As a young player he obviously has a lot of room to improve, especially on the tactical side to understand what we expect from our No.9.
“But we also see the possibility to play him in either the No.7 or No.11 positions.”
Hurtado moved to the Championship side Watford in October 2022 after starting his career with Columbian second-tier side Real Cartagena. He’s recently been on loan to MLS side New York Red Bulls after also having a spell at Primera A side Independiente Medellín back in his own country.
The forward has played at international level for his country and was part of the Columbia under-20 World Cup squad last year.
