Jefferson Lerma will face Millonarios with Crystal Palace in a friendly match for The Chicago Nations Cup in the USA. It's the team he made his debut with 10 years ago. It will be broadcasted on Star+.
Still a youth player at 18 years old, the midfielder made his professional debut in the Colombian league at Atlético Huila. He earned a place in Europe since 2015. A typical "box to box" player of English football, he is preparing for his sixth season between the lower divisions and the Premier League.
He made his debut with the team against Millonarios, coached by Álvaro de Jesús Gómez, on March 30, 2013, in Neiva for the eighth round of the league. The match ended in a 0-0 draw and featured an experienced squad with Tressor Moreno and César Valoyes.
He played 24 matches that season. He faced the Bogota team again in September and suffered a 3-2 defeat at El Campín.
He maintained his starting position for the following year, playing in 37 games. Against Millonarios, he remained unbeaten with a 2-2 draw away and a 1-0 win in Neiva. He scored six goals in that season.
The last time they played was in 2015. They drew 2-2 at Plazas Alcid in April. Four months later, he moved to Levante in Spain on loan. He stayed for three seasons and stood out as a central midfielder. His level earned him a spot in the Colombian national team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He made the jump to the Premier League with Bournemouth. He was undisputed, a leader, and a reference during their promotion in 2022. In the last season, he played 37 matches and scored five goals. With that cycle completed, he signed with Crystal Palace.
Goal by Lerma in #PREMIERxESPN
The Colombian midfielder used his right foot to skillfully score to the far post of the Leeds goalkeeper in the 1-0 win for Bournemouth.
▶️ Don't miss the ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ Premier League on #StarPlusLA
— ESPN Fútbol Colombia (@ESPNFutbolCol) April 30, 2023
"I am very happy and excited about this new opportunity. Crystal Palace has good players and a good team, and I want to help in all the club's goals next season," he said a few weeks ago.
Millonarios saw a Colombian national team player being born. They will face him on Wednesday, July 26, at one of his best moments.