 Lerma withAFC Bournemouth in 2018 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1994-10-25)25 October 1994 (age 31)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | El Cerrito, Colombia | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[3] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder,centre-back | ||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team | Crystal Palace | ||||||||||||||||
| Number | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| Atlético Huila | |||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2013–2016 | Atlético Huila | 84 | (6) | ||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | →Levante (loan) | 33 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Levante | 56 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2023 | AFC Bournemouth | 176 | (12) | ||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Crystal Palace | 72 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Colombia Olympic | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017– | Colombia | 62 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:03, 22 November 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November 2025 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||
Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís (born 25 October 1994) is a Colombian professionalfootballer who plays as adefensive midfielder orcentre-back forPremier League clubCrystal Palace and theColombia national team.
A youth product ofAtlético Huila, Lerma played for three years in Colombia before joining Spanish sideLevante on loan in 2016. That same year, Levante bought Lerma outright on a four-year contract. In 2018, Lerma was signed by Premier League sideAFC Bournemouth for a club record fee of €30 million. He spent five years at the club until 2023, departing on a free transfer for Crystal Palace, where he won theFA Cup in2025.
Lerma first played withColombia's Olympic team, representing them at the2016 Summer Olympics inRio, and made his senior international debut the following year. He was part of the Colombia squad that participated at the2018 World Cup, also representing his nation at the2019 and2024 edition of theCopa América, helping his country finish as runners-up in the latter.
Born inEl Cerrito, Valle del Cauca, Lerma relocated toNeiva, Huila and graduated withAtlético 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 againstMillonarios.[4] On 17 April, Lerma provided the assist for Huila's third goal againstIndependiente Medellín which allowed his team to win 3–2.[5] On the final match day, Lerma made his second direct contribution of the season, distributing an assist in a 1–1 home draw againstSanta Fe.[6] Lerma appeared in 20 matches duringhis first professional season, as his side finished 13th in the Apertura.
For the 2013 Clausura, Lerma's side avoided a relegation play-off, finishing in 14th place with two points more thanCúcuta Deportivo who were relegated after losing their play-off series against second division sideFortaleza.[7]
He scored his first professional goals on 6 February 2014, scoring a brace in a 3–1 home success over newly promoted Fortaleza, the first of which was the club's 1,000th.[8] Lerma netted his third goal of the season on 10 April in a 2–0 home win overOnce Caldas.[9] Although Lerma's goal secured an important victory, Huila failed to qualify for the Apertura's final phase after they lost away at Santa Fe and tied at home withUniautónoma in their remaining matches, thus resulting in a 12th place finish.
Lerma suffered the first red card of his career on 2 August 2014, after receiving a second booking in the 45th minute during a Clausura match against Fortaleza.[10] On October 20, Lerma scored a vital goal in a 3–0 win againstDeportivo Pasto.[11] Huila ultimately qualified to the 2014 Clausura's final phase, and eventually fell short from disputing the final despite having the same amount of points as group counter-part Santa Fe, who would go on to dispute and win the final against Independiente Medellín.[12]
Lerma would maintain his consistency during the 2015 Apertura, guiding Huila to a surprising first place finish in the league table, thus qualifying for the Apertura's quarter-finals againstDeportes Tolima. However, Huila was knocked-out by Tolima with Lerma missing out on both games due to injury.[13] Overall, that season Lerma would establish himself as key integrant for Atlético Huila, which attracted the interest of European clubs such as Spanish sideLevante.[14] Despite rumours of a potential loan to Spain, Lerma was included in Huila's squad for the initial part of 2015 Clausura.[15] On 8 August, he scored a goal during his last game for Huila from free-kick in a 2–1 away defeat to Deportes Tolima.[16]
While disputing the2016 Summer Olympics withColombia on August 13, Lerma agreed to a one-year loan contract withLa Liga clubLevante.[17] He made his debut later that month, replacingNabil Ghilas in a 0–0 away draw toLas Palmas.[18][19] Lerma incorporated himself quickly to Levante's team dynamics, and scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football on 7 December 2015, scoring the match's first goal in a 1–1 away draw withEspanyol. He provided an assist toDeyverson on 25 February 2016, which helped Levante win their home duel against Las Palmas 3–2. After appearing in 25 matches for the club, he signed a four-year contract effective 1 July 2016 for a €600,000 transfer fee.[20] He provided a further assist during his debut season for Levante in a match againstAthletic Bilbao on 24 April, which ended 2–2.[21] On 2 May, Lerma and his team suffered relegation to the second division after a defeat toMálaga CF which left Levante with no mathematical possibility of avoiding relegation.[22] Overall, Lerma finished the season with 34 appearances, one goal, and two assists across all competitions.
Lerma made hisSegunda División debut on 4 September 2016, coming off the bench in a 1–1 away draw againstGimnàstic. On 2 October, he received a double-booking during Levante's 3–2 victory overReal Valladolid. On 15 October, Lerma guided Levante to an important victory againstMallorca, where he scored Levante's second goal in a 2–1 triumph. He provided the assist forRoger Martí's ninth goal of the season during Levante's 0–3 away victory againstCD Mirandés. On 11 January 2017, Lerma scored his first goal of the year, Levante's second in a 0–2 away win againstUCAM Murcia CF. In early April, a torn muscle injury would rule Lerma out for six league games. On 13 May, he made his return as a starter during Levante's 2–1 home win overGirona. After a well-fought season, Levante finished first and were crowned as the champions for the2016–17 Segunda División season, thus achieving direct promotion toLa Liga.
On 21 August 2017, he made his return to the top-flight of Spanish football at home againstVillarreal CF, where Lerma played the entire match as his team secured a 1–0 victory. Throughout the first half of the season, a muscle injury would ultimately prevent Lerma from disputing nine league matches. On 26 February 2018, Lerma made his return upon recovery againstReal Betis. On 31 March, Lerma provided an assist forJosé Luis Morales' decisive equalizing goal against Girona away from home. On 13 May, Lerma took part in Levante's historic win againstFC Barcelona, which ended 5–4 at Levante'sEstadi Ciutat de València. Lerma's team eventually finished 15th at the end of the season, thus maintaining a spot in Spain's top flight.
On 7 August 2018, Lerma joinedPremier League clubAFC Bournemouth for a club record transfer fee of €30 million.[23] On 1 September, he made his debut for Bournemouth playing 88 minutes in a 2–0 loss againstChelsea.[24] On 1 October during a league match againstCrystal Palace, Lerma was fouled in the penalty area which resulted in a penalty being award to Bournemouth.Junior Stanislas successfully converted the decisive penalty which helped Bournemouth win the match 2–1. Lerma scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat againstNewcastle United on 10 November 2018.[25] He scored on the final day of his first season at the club in a 5–3 defeat away to Crystal Palace.[26] Lerma established himself as a fan favourite player, due to his tough-tackling, no-nonsense style of play, as well as an important part of the Bournemouth team during his first season in the Premier League; making a total of 32 appearances across all competitions and scoring two goals in the league. Conclusively, Bournemouth would end the Premier League season in 13th place.
On 14 December 2019, Lerma provided a crucial assist forDan Gosling's sole goal to help Bournemouth beat Chelsea 0–1 atStamford Bridge. On 29 February 2020, he scored his third goal for the club in a 2–2 home draw against Chelsea, meeting aRyan Fraser corner with his head to make the score 1–1.[27] Lerma added his second assist of the season againstLiverpool atAnfield, aidingCallum Wilson to lead 0–1 in the ninth minute. Despite the team's efforts, Bournemouth would finish losing 2–1, thus pushing the team down to 18th place. Lerma's side would ultimately suffer relegation to the Championship at the end of the season after finishing in 19th place.
On the opening match-day, Lerma scored Bournemouth's second to help his side win 3–2 againstBlackburn Rovers. He made another notable contribution on 27 September 2020, providingArnaut Danjuma with an important assist to help win the match 1–0 againstNorwich City. For the following fixture, Lerma scored Bournemouth's first againstCoventry City which ended in a 1–3 away win. In December, Lerma was charged with a biting offence relating to an act of violent conduct during a game againstSheffield Wednesday on 3 November 2020.[28] On 12 December, Lerma provided a further assist forDominic Solanke's 8th league goal, during Bournemouth's 5–0 thrashing overHuddersfield Town. He received his first red card as a Bournemouth player for violent conduct on 16 January 2021, during Bournemouth's eventual 0–1 loss at home againstLuton Town. On 2 April, Lerma completed his third goal of season in Bournemouth's 3–1 win againstMiddlesbrough. Ultimately, Bournemouth finished the season in fifth, therefore qualifying to the Championship play-offs againstBrentford. Despite winning the first leg 1–0, Bournemouth would suffer a 3–1 away defeat in the second leg, thus failing to gain promotion to the Premier League.
On 28 August 2021, Lerma started his first game of the season in a goal less draw away atHull City. Lerma would be a fundamental component for Bournemouth's team dynamic during their 15-game unbeaten run. On 21 November, Lerma made his first assist of the season, providing team-mate Solanke's 14th of the season during Bournemouth's 3–2 away defeat againstDerby County. On 27 November, Lerma received a straight red card during Bournemouth's 2–2 draw against Coventry City. He missed out on three league games as a result. He suffered his second red card of the season during his side's 3–1 win againstBirmingham City. Consequently, Lerma was suspended for four league matches. On 12 March, Lerma made his return from suspension against Derby County, with his team winning 2–0. Lerma effectively partnered up with Solanke once more on 15 March, when he provided an assist to help Solanke net his 22nd goal of the season. The following match-day, Lerma netted his first goal of the season in a 3–0 away victory againstHuddersfield Town. On 18 April, Lerma once again provided an assist for Solanke, this time against Coventry which ended in a 0–3 away win. Following Bournemouth's impressive season, the team managed to secure a second-place league finish and were therefore promoted back to the Premier League after two seasons.
On 6 August 2022, Lerma scored Bournemouth's first goal of the season during Premier League opening match-day as his team went on to defeatAston Villa 2–0.[29] Consequently, Lerma's goal became the fastest scored by a newly promoted side at one minute and 56 seconds.[30] On October 15, Lerma scored his second goal of the season in a 2–2 draw atFulham.[31] He scored his third Premier League goal of the season on 25 February 2023, Bournemouth's sole goal in a 1–4 home defeat toManchester City.[32] On 30 April, he scored two goals in four first half minutes of a 4–1 home win againstLeeds United.[33] On 31 May, it was announced that Lerma would leave Bournemouth after five years at the club.[34]
On 8 June 2023, fellow Premier League sideCrystal Palace announced they had agreed personal terms with Lerma, and that he would join the club from 1 July.[35] He made his debut for the club on 12 August, a 1–0 away win overSheffield United.[36]
Lerma’s consistent performances throughout his first season earned him second place in Crystal Palace’s 2023/24 Player of the Season awards.[37]
On 17 May 2025, Lerma played in the2025 FA Cup final, coming on as a substitute forMarc Guehi in the second half, where Lerma won theFA Cup as Crystal Palace beatManchester City 1–0 for Crystal Palace's first major trophy.[38]
On 14 July 2016, Lerma was called up by Colombia's Olympic managerCarlos Restrepo to compete at the2016 Summer Olympics.[39] In total, he appeared in three out of four matches as Colombia suffered elimination in the quarter-finals at the hands of the eventual gold-medalistsBrazil.[40]
Lerma made his debut forColombia on 10 November 2017, coming on late forStefan Medina in a 1–2 defeat toSouth Korea.[41][42]
In June 2018, he was named inJosé Pékerman's final23-man squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[43] He made his World Cup debut as a starter in Colombia's opening group-stage match againstJapan, where Colombia lost 1–2 withCarlos Sánchez receiving a red card in the third minute of the match for a suspected handball.[44] Lerma would go on to dispute all of Colombia's remaining matches as his country exited in the round of 16 after losing toEngland on penalties.[45]
On 30 May 2019, Lerma was selected by managerCarlos Queiroz to represent Colombia at the2019 Copa América.[46] He made his tournament debut in Colombia's group-stage win againstArgentina, coming off the bench forJuan Cuadrado and providing a 86th minute assist toDuván Zapata for Colombia's second goal which sealed a 2–0 victory.[47] He started in Colombia's final group-stage match where Colombia beatParaguay 1–0 to top their group with a perfect win rate and no goals conceded.[48] For Colombia's quarter-final match againstChile, Lerma was an unused substitute; Colombia was eventually knocked out of the tournament after losing 4–5 on penalties.[49]
On 13 October 2020, Lerma scored his first international goal in a2022 FIFA World Cup qualification fixture overChile, which ended 2–2.[50]
For the2021 Copa América, Lerma was excluded from Colombia's final squad by the newly appointed managerReinaldo Rueda due to unspecified personal circumstances.[51] Additionally, some theories suggested that Rueda was dissatisfied with Lerma's performance in the days leading up to the announcement. This dissatisfaction was reportedly influenced by Lerma's performance during Colombia's World Cup qualifying match againstArgentina, where he was substituted in the 30th minute after Colombia conceded two goals in just eight minutes.[52] Despite Colombia recovering to tie the match 2–2, Lerma's previous appearances, including Colombia's 0–3 home defeat toUruguay and their 6–1 away loss toEcuador—which led to Carlos Queiroz's dismissal—may have contributed to internal conflicts within the squad. This discord could have impacted Lerma's position on Rueda's final list, which also excluded key players such asJames Rodríguez andRadamel Falcao.[53] In response to the speculation, theColombian Football Federation issued a statement denying any rumors regarding Lerma's exclusion and confirmed that his absence from the final list was due to an unnamed personal situation that has yet to be disclosed.[54]
Lerma made his return to the Colombian national team on 7 October 2021, following a call-up from manager Reinaldo Rueda for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Uruguay andBrazil.[55] He came on as a second-half substitute in the 0–0 draw away at Uruguay.
On 14 June 2024, Lerma was called up into 26-mansquad for2024 Copa América.[56] He scored the winner in a 2–1 group stage win against Paraguay,[57] and the sole goal in the semi-final against Uruguay.[58] He started the2024 Copa América final, Colombia's first since 2001, though they lost to Argentina.
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Atlético Huila | 2013 | Categoría Primera A | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 26 | 0 | |||
| 2014 | Categoría Primera A | 37 | 4 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | 44 | 5 | ||||
| 2015 | Categoría Primera A | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 23 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 84 | 6 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | 93 | 7 | |||||
| Levante (loan) | 2015–16 | La Liga | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 1 | |||
| Levante | 2016–17 | Segunda División | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 31 | 2 | |||
| 2017–18 | La Liga | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 28 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 89 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 93 | 3 | |||||
| AFC Bournemouth | 2018–19 | Premier League | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 1 | |||
| 2020–21 | Championship | 42 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 48 | 3 | ||
| 2021–22 | Championship | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 | |||
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 37 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 5 | |||
| Total | 176 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 184 | 12 | |||
| Crystal Palace | 2023–24 | Premier League | 28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2024–25 | Premier League | 33 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 0 | |||
| 2025–26 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5[d] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| Total | 72 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 92 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 421 | 22 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 462 | 23 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 2017 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | |
| Total | 62 | 5 | |
Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 October 2020 | Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos,Santiago, Chile | 21 |  Chile | 1–0 | 2–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 24 June 2024 | NRG Stadium,Houston, United States | 44 |  Paraguay | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2024 Copa América |
| 3 | 10 July 2024 | Bank of America Stadium,Charlotte, United States | 47 |  Uruguay | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2024 Copa América |
| 4 | 11 October 2025 | AT&T Stadium,Arlington, United States | 59 |  Mexico | 3–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 18 November 2025 | Citi Field,New York City, United States | 62 |  Australia | 3–0 | 3–0 |
Levante UD
AFC Bournemouth
Crystal Palace
Colombia
Colombia squads | |||||||||||||||||||
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