Jefferson Lerma is a Colombian midfielder who plays for Crystal Palace. He gives Colombia something vital in the middle of the pitch: strength, ball-winning, and the discipline to protect the team when matches become physical.
Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís was born on 25 October 1994. At 31, he is one of the experienced midfield anchors in Colombia's squad and still highly relevant to 2026.
Early Life and Background
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Lerma developed in Colombian football before earning a move abroad. His youth football journey helped shape a practical midfield game built on intensity, aggression, and strong defensive habits.
That kind of development matters for a holding midfielder. Positioning, timing in duels, and the nerve to keep competing after contact are all part of the role.
By the time he left Colombia, he already looked built for games that demanded edge and resilience.
Club Career
Early clubs and development
Lerma first built his senior reputation in Colombia and then moved to Levante in Spain. That spell gave him top-level European experience before he later became a key midfielder for Bournemouth in England.
Crystal Palace signed him in 2023, and that move kept him in the Premier League. It also placed him in a team that values work rate and physical authority in central areas.
Current club and recent form
Current records keep him at Crystal Palace with a contract through 30 June 2026. Even when he is not the headline name, his role stays important because he gives the midfield structure and bite.
He can also fill in deeper defensive roles when needed, which adds another layer of value for club and country.
Jefferson Lerma - Stats and Performance
Lerma is best judged through ball recoveries, duels, pressing, and tactical coverage rather than through attacking numbers alone.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Crystal Palace | yet to be confirmed | yet to be confirmed | yet to be confirmed |
That role-based value is exactly why he stays relevant even when his goal and assist totals are modest.
International Career
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
Lerma has already built a major senior Colombia record and the current page places him on 62 caps and 5 goals. That total confirms his importance across multiple tournament cycles.
For 2026, he remains one of the safest midfield picks when Colombia want control, defensive security, and physical balance.
| National Team | Caps | Goals | Tournament Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 62 | 5 | Senior Colombia squad involvement |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Position, role, and standout qualities
Lerma mainly plays as a defensive midfielder, though he can also cover at centre-back. His best qualities are tackling, physical presence, second-ball work, and a willingness to compete in every phase.
He is the type of player who makes life easier for more creative teammates because he does the hard work around them.
Personal Info and Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jefferson Andrés Lerma Solís |
| Date of birth | 25 October 1994 |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | Colombia |
| Height | 179 cm |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Position | Defensive midfielder |
| Current club | Crystal Palace |
| Jersey number | 8 |
Transfer News and Market Value
There is no major new transfer shift to report. Lerma remains with Crystal Palace and current records list his contract through 2026.
Recent reporting around his market value has placed him around the €8.00 million level, which fits an experienced Premier League midfielder with international pedigree.
Salary and Net Worth
Weekly wages, annual earnings, and estimated net worth
A clear current public salary figure is not consistently confirmed across reliable trackers.
Weekly salary: Will be updated soon. Annual salary and net worth: Will be updated soon.
FAQs
How old is Jefferson Lerma and what is his nationality?
Jefferson Lerma is 31 years old and he is Colombian.
Which club does Jefferson Lerma play for now?
He currently plays for Crystal Palace.
What position does Jefferson Lerma play?
He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder.
Is Jefferson Lerma important for Colombia in 2026?
Yes. He remains one of Colombia's key midfield enforcers and experienced options.
What is Jefferson Lerma salary and market value?
Current salary details will be updated soon, while recent reporting has placed his market value around €8.00 million.
Conclusion
Lerma remains important because every team needs a midfielder who can win the hard battles and protect structure.
If his level holds, he should stay central to Colombia's midfield plans in 2026.