Jefferson Lerma

Jefferson Lerma transitioned from the youth setup at Atlético Huila to a decorated career in European football. Born on 25 October 1994 in El Cerrito, Colombia, the midfielder established himself as a durable professional. His career trajectory saw him move from his homeland to Spain and eventually to England, culminating in major trophy successes by 2026.

Early Career in Colombia

Lerma joined the main squad of Atlético Huila in January 2013, debuting professionally on 30 March against Millonarios. During his first season, he participated in 20 matches. In 2014, he recorded his first professional goals, including a brace against Fortaleza. By 2015, he became a consistent presence, guiding the club to a first-place finish in the Apertura league table before departing for Spain.

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Spanish Tenure with Levante

In August 2015, Lerma secured a loan move to La Liga side Levante. He made his debut against Las Palmas and scored his first goal in Spanish football against Espanyol that December. Following a permanent transfer in 2016 for €600,000, he helped the team secure the Segunda División title in 2017. He remained with the club until 2018, finishing his final season with a 15th-place league standing.

English Football and Major Honours

In August 2018, Lerma transferred to AFC Bournemouth for a club-record fee of €30 million. After spending five seasons there, he joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer in 2023. This tenure resulted in significant silverware, including the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield in 2025, followed by the UEFA Conference League title in 2026.

International Representation

Lerma debuted for Colombia's Olympic team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. His senior international career commenced in 2017. He participated in the 2018 and 2026 tournaments, as well as the 2019 and 2024 editions of the Copa América, where he assisted his national squad in finishing as runners-up during the 2024 competition.