MX23RW : Friday, November 15 06:56:59| >> :600:125537:125537:

Jefferson Lerma to join Crystal Palace on free transfer

Jefferson Lerma to join Crystal Palace on free transfer
© Reuters
Colombia international Jefferson Lerma will join Crystal Palace on a free transfer when his Bournemouth contract expires.

Crystal Palace have agreed to sign Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer on July 1 when his Bournemouth contracts expire.

Bournemouth recently confirmed that the Colombia international will leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of June.

Lerma joined the Cherries from Levante for a club-record £25m fee in the summer of 2018, and he went on to make 184 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals and eight assists.

The midfielder featured regular for the South-coast side during the 2022-23 season, starting 37 of the club's 38 Premier League games.

Despite leaving Bournemouth, Lerma will remain the Premier League after agreeing a three-year contract with Palace.

Jefferson Lerma in action for Bournemouth on August 6, 2022© Reuters

Speaking to the club's official website, Lerma said: "I am very happy and excited by this new opportunity. Crystal Palace has good players and a good team, and I want to help with every objective the club has next season."

Lerma will strengthen a Palace midfield that has been weakened by the departures of Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur.

The 28-year-old has a wealth of Premier League experience after making 100 top-flight appearances during his time with the Cherries.

Commenting on Lerma's imminent arrival, Palace chairman Steve Parish said: "Jefferson is a strong addition to our squad.

AFC Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma celebrates after the match on April 30, 2023© Reuters

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

"We look forward to welcoming him to the club on 1 July in preparation for our 11th consecutive season in the top flight."

Palace are yet to decide on a new permanent manager, with Roy Hodgson set to depart when his short-term contract comes to an end.

Hodgson returned to the Palace dugout in March, overseeing five wins in 10 matches to guide the Eagles to an 11th-placed finish.

ID:515853:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3522:

Click here for more stories about Jefferson Lerma

Click here for more stories about Crystal Palace

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring for Crystal Palace on April 29, 2023
Read Next:
Crystal Palace 2022-23 season review - star player, best moment, standout result
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!