Abel Hernandez has revealed how the support of new club Palermo may have saved his career.

The 19-year-old was snapped up during the January transfer window from Penarol, but upon his arrival a routine medical uncovered a heart arrhythmia.

There were concerns over how this would affect his career and if the Rosanero would declare the transfer invalid, but instead they booked him in for surgery to correct the problem.

"I feel great now and am focused only on starting my time with this prestigious shirt as soon as possible," smiled the striker.

"I thank President [Maurizio] Zamparini for believing in me and for sticking by my side even during those days when I underwent the clinical tests." On February 23 the teenager had surgery on the right ventricle in his heart and emerged without complications.

"It was not just a sporting problem, but above all a human one," commented Palermo chief medic Elio Cardinale.

"We are trying to guarantee the life of a young boy. In Italy there is more security on these matters and more in-depth testing than in Uruguay."