AFC Bournemouth have announced that Jefferson Lerma will leave the club at the end of his campaign, ending a five-year spell on the south coast.
The Colombia international is the Cherries record signing, joining the club in August 2018 for a fee in the region of £ 25 million.
Bournemouth have confirmed Jefferson Lerma will leave the club this summer 🍒 pic.twitter.com/bDnaVPfmTL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 31, 2023
The 28-year-old leaves the club on a free transfer, with his next club currently, unnamed, however, there have been rumours suggesting that he has signed a pre-contract with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.
Lerma made 184 appearances for the Cherries in all competitions, including 100 in the Premier League.
He was part of the side that were relegated from the top flight of English football during the covid pandemic season, but whilst the likes of Nathan Ake, Aaron Ramsdale and Callum Wilson all departed quickly following relegation, Lerma stayed at Dean Court to help earn the club promotion in 2022.
This season Lerma helped the side to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League, comfortably avoiding relegation at the expense of Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton.
Lerma made 37 appearances in the Premier League this season, playing 3,256 minutes, scoring 5 goals and winning the poll to be named Daily Echo player of the season.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“Jefferson has made an outstanding contribution to the club over the past five years, but during contract negotiations he has made it clear to us that he seeks a new challenge.
“As both a player and a person, Jefferson has been a key part of our success. While we are naturally disappointed that we won’t see him in an AFC Bournemouth shirt again next season, we thank him for his unwavering commitment and wish him all the best.”
Lerma posted a lengthy statement on social media, stating that he was “leaving a Cherry” and will always hold the club in his heart.
see you later cherries always in my heart ♥️🍒 pic.twitter.com/LZQEX54fVM
— Jefferson Lerma (@jeffersonlerma) May 31, 2023
AFC Bournemouth’s official website also published a special tribute page of Lerma’s best images and a tribute video.
Your say…
MB1980 wrote…
Interesting how he continued to play, whilst Zemura was ostracized.
Not that it matters, but wonder if the club knew he was leaving months back and all parties kept under wraps?
Good luck Jeff, will be talking about on here when discussing the best Defensive central midfielders we’ve had/dream teams for decades, maybe. Popular and liked by most of us.
Horatio added…
Footballers have short careers. Jeff has spent 5 years of his at our tinpot club and has served us well. He now wants to go somewhere else, good luck to him. Who knows how hard we tried to keep him? We’ve had some good recruitment recently, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we replace him. – To join the conversation, click here.
