Crystal Palace have announced the signing of Jefferson Lerma.
The 29-year-old midfielder will join Palace on 1 July after his contract with AFC Bournemouth has expired.
The Colombian signed for Bournemouth in August 2018 and made 100 Premier League appearances for the Cherries, scoring eight goals. Five of them came this season as he helped them stay up after promotion the previous summer.
“I am very happy and excited by this new opportunity,” Lerma told the club’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.”
Jefferson has a message for you all. pic.twitter.com/bM8OZ89p4n
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) June 8, 2023
Palace chairman Steve Parish called Lerma, who is the club’s first signing of the summer window, “a strong addition to our squad”.
“He is a proven performer at Premier League level, and his combative and competitive nature will endear him to the Palace fans,” Parish said. “We look forward to welcoming him to the club on 1st July in preparation for our eleventh consecutive season in the top flight.”
Lerma will find out who he will first face in a Palace shirt in the Premier League when the fixtures come out at 09:00 BST on 15 June.
The Premier League season will start on the weekend commencing 12 August.
