Jefferson Lerma

Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís (born 25 October 1994) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the Colombia national team. Typically a central midfielder, he has also been used as a defensive midfielder and as a right-back. Club career Early career and Atlético Huila Born in El Cerrito, Valle del Cauca, Lerma graduated with Atlético Huila's youth setup. After being promoted to the main squad in January 2013, he made his professional debut on 30 March, starting in a 0–0 home draw against Millonarios FC. Lerma appeared in 20 matches during his first professional season, as his side finished 13th. He scored his first professional goals on 6 February 2014, netting a brace in a 3–1 home success over Fortaleza FC; his first goal was the club's 1000th. Levante On 13 August 2015 Lerma moved abroad for the first time in his career, after agreeing to a one-year loan deal with La Liga side Levante UD. He made his debut in the category late in the month, coming on as a late substitute for Nabil Ghilas in a 0–0 away draw against UD Las Palmas. Lerma scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football on 7 December 2015, netting the first in a 1–1 away draw against RCD Espanyol. After reaching 25 matches for the club, he signed a four-year deal effective on 1 July for a €600,000 fee. Bournemouth On 7 August 2018, Lerma signed with Bournemouth in the Premier League for a club-record fee. International career In June 2018 he was named in Colombia’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.