Charlton Athletic make move for former Norwich winger Hernandez

Cuban winger, 32, signs deal until January transfer window

Charlton Athletic have added to their squad options by signing former Norwich City winger Onel Hernandez.

The 32-year-old has been training with the Addicks for a period of time and had been a free agent.

Hernandez has penned a short-term contract until January 2026.

Picture: Alamy

The Cuban made more than 200 appearances for Norwich before being released in the summer.

He has scored 14 goals and collected 25 assists in 204 Championship matches.

Last season he featured 26 times, five of those starts in the league, and had six goal involvements, four of those assists.

Hernandez was brought to the Norfolk club by then boss Daniel Farke from German club Eintracht Braunschweig. He has been capped 12 times by his country and previously represented Germany at U18 level.

“Onel brings real good Championship experience,” Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones told the club’s official website.

“We’ve had a look at him as he’s been training with us for a few weeks and he’s got wonderful athleticism and real one-v-one quality.

“We felt that we just wanted to add in that department. We’ve got TC [Tyreece Campbell], we’ve got [Rob] Apter, we’ve got Ibby [Fullah] who can do that but we just wanted to bring a bit of Championship experience in terms of the one-v-one ability. He’s come in, he’s looked sharp and he’s shown his quality.”

Hernandez is right-footed but can operate across the frontline.

Hernandez added: “I’m really happy to be here. I’ve known the coach for a long time and I’ve played against his teams. He’s a very good coach who knows what he wants from his players.

“As soon as I had a conversation with Nathan, I knew straight away that it was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Hernandez admitted in May that he was left upset by his Carrow Road departure.

Norwich did hold an option to extend by a further 12 months but opted against it.

“It’s been a very emotional week for me. I still can’t imagine really that it’s done now,” Hernandez told BBC Radio Norfolk’s The Scrimmage.

“I had moments when I was sitting at home, messages I received from fans touched me somehow, I’m not a guy that cries a lot but I had some tears coming then. I had to try to hold it in, but it’s not easy.

“It’s not just because of the success we had back in the day when we got the promotions, it’s also how you communicate with the fans.

“It’s not just about coming here, kicking the ball and then leaving again, it’s more than that, you have to go out there, speak to everyone and be friendly.

“At the end of the day, that’s what they deserve, they spend a lot of money to come and support the club. You have to understand that and be grateful for that.”

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