Of the healthy smattering of loanees Watford send off in their spider's web of European connections, few will likely ever pull on a Hornets shirt or run down the tunnel at Vicarage Road.

But since the club became the main focal point in the Pozzo family triumvirate of clubs, which is now down to a pairing following their relinquishment of Granada, things have started to change.

Adalberto Penaranda was meant to be the next big thing when the Venezuelan youngster passed between Pozzo senior and junior to sign for Watford from Udinese, via Granada, 18 months ago, but he has enjoyed precious little first-team action in three loan spells since then.

However, one other South American import looks more likely to be following the path currently trodden by Brazilian import Richarlison next season - and he comes in the shape of an 18-year-old sturdily built winger who has already shown maturity above his years.

When Colombian Juan Camilo Hernandez was announced as a Watford signing in July - albeit not by the club themselves - the Watford Observer spoke with one journalist who tipped him as one of the country's brightest talents, despite his tender age.

That was perhaps best quantified when, as a 17-year-old, he was awarded the captain's armband at first club Deportivo Pereira.

He has since begun to prove his talent in the Spanish second tier in his loan spell with Huesca, and has already been named the Segunda Division's player of the month for September, scoring three times and starting each of their seven league games.

Spanish football outlet Golombianos called his performance in Huesca's 3-2 defeat at Cultural Leonesa as one of a "great player", after he set-up one and made the other of their two goals.

He did likewise for the club on Sunday in happier circumstances as they beat Rayo 2-1, leading Spanish newspaper AS to say he was proving the "star" of the team.

"Has been doing it in Spain very well," says Colombia-based journalist Simon Edwards. "There just never seems to be any adaption. He just plays football and takes responsibility for games.

"He contributes in defence, drives forward and makes things happen. Has ability and physical attributes, but his maturity, mental strength and leadership is amazing.

"I think as things are right now he would be perfect back up for Carrillo and Richarlison for next season."

Where Penaranda has failed to get a work permit, there seems a genuine belief Hernandez could circumnavigate the perplexing Football Association criteria under the 'special talent' caveat.

Certainly, his case is helped by Colombia's presence in the higher reaches of the FIFA world rankings, and so too his CV considering how many games he has already played.

Edwards added: "I think he could get a permit next summer. Colombia have been ranked top 10 in the world for the past five years, he has played regularly for the Under-20s, Watford are in the Premier League and he has played more than 70 games in his career at the age of 18."