Jefferson Lerma, Colombia footballer: Profile, Career, News & Videos

Jefferson Lerma is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the Colombia national team.

A youth product of Atlético Huila, Lerma played for three years in Colombia before joining Spanish side Levante on loan in 2016. That same year, Levante bought Lerma outright on a four-year contract. In 2018, Lerma was signed by Premier League side AFC 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 the FA Cup in 2025.

Lerma first played with Colombia's Olympic team, representing them at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and made his senior international debut the following year. He was part of the Colombia squad that participated at the 2018 World Cup, also representing his nation at the 2019 and 2024 edition of the Copa América, helping his country finish as runners-up in the latter.