'Truly incredible' - Sky Sports pundit pays glowing tribute to 'magician' Hernandez after exit reveal

The Spaniard has been at Elland Road since 2017, arriving from Qatari side Al-Arabi SC on a free transfer.

Since then, the veteran playmaker has gone on to make 174 appearances for the Whites, scoring on 36 occasions and assisting a further 41 goals.

Hernandez has struggled for regular game time this season, however, and has been limited to just two starts in the Premier League.

Leeds confirmed on Friday that the 36-year-old will be departing, along with defender Gaetano Berardi, after Sunday’s final day clash against West Brom.

Reacting to the news on Sky Sports’ Football Show, Higginbotham said: “He’s known as the magician, and what he’s done for the club over the years…

"We’re seeing a Leeds United team now under Bielsa just having an incredible season, taking the Premier League by storm, but what we can’t forget is that there were a few years that weren’t so memorable.

"But the one constant standout performer in that time was Hernandez – the year they got promoted, the year before when they missed out. He’s just been incredible.

"People talk about Leeds United in the Championship, and there was a lot of pressure on them then. Every single season they were expected to be challenging, and he was the one constant.

"He is truly incredible, and he’s been a fantastic player, a fantastic servant, and he’ll go down in history as a real Leeds United great.”