Jefferson Lerma joins Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have announced the acquisition of Jefferson Lerma, who will leave Bournemouth as a free agent after five years.

Lerma’s contract at the Vitality Stadium expires at the end of the month and he’ll officially become an Eagles player on July 1.

He swapped Levante for Bournemouth in 2018 and made 100 Premier League appearances for the Cherries, including 37 in the 2022/23 campaign.

Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, mainly tasked with obstructing the play, Lerma discovered his scoring touch last season.

With five goals to his name, the Colombian enjoyed his most prolific season in front of goal.

His impressive showings for Gary O’Neil’s side helped the Cherries retain their top-flight status, earning him the club’s Player of the Year award.

But even though he has become one of the most influential figures at the Vitality, he has decided against continuing with Bournemouth.

Lerma will team up with Roy Hodgson’s Palace side instead and he was delighted to announce his move to Selhurst Park.

“I am very happy and excited by this new opportunity,” he told Palace’s official website.

“Crystal Palace has good players and a good team, and I want to help with every objective the club has next season.”

By putting pen to paper on a multi-year contract, he has become the club’s first signing in the summer transfer window, with Palace chairman Steve Parish heaping praise on the team’s newest addition.

“He is a proven performer at Premier League level, and his combative and competitive nature will endear him to the Palace fans,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming him to the club on July 1 in preparation for our eleventh consecutive season in the top flight.”

Palace spent most of the 2022/23 season fighting in the lower reaches but avoided relegation after replacing underperforming manager Patrick Vieira with Hodgson in March.

The 75-year-old’s return to the helm proved a season-defining moment for the Eagles, as he steadied the ship leading the team to a respectable 11th-place finish.