MX23RW : Sunday, February 2 10:02:38| >> :60:1804:1804:

Bournemouth confirm Jefferson Lerma departure

Bournemouth confirm Jefferson Lerma departure
© Reuters
Bournemouth confirm the departure of midfielder Jefferson Lerma after spending five years with the South-coast club.

Bournemouth have confirmed that midfielder Jefferson Lerma will leave the club this summer.

Lerma joined the Cherries in the summer of 2018 from Levante, and he has gone on to make 184 appearances for the club, registering 12 goals and eight assists.

Bournemouth were keen to extend his stay on the South coast, but Lerma reportedly rejected multiple contract offers.

The Colombia international will now leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.

Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club's official website: "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.

Jefferson Lerma celebrates scoring for Bournemouth on April 30, 2023© Reuters

"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 addressed his imminent departure following Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season.

"Be it my last game or not, I feel a lot of gratitude to Bournemouth," the 28-year-old told the Daily Echo.

"It has been five very wonderful years. I have a huge love for them and wherever I go, I will carry them in my heart. They will always be with me."

Jefferson Lerma in action for Bournemouth on August 6, 2022© Reuters

The Colombian is widely expected to join fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace, but he was reluctant to comment on his next destination following the defeat to Everton.

"These rumours started a while ago, not only with Crystal Palace", Lerma said. These rumours started a while ago, not only with Crystal Palace.

"I won't respond due to my commitment to Bournemouth. Let's wait and see what happens."

Lerma, who has 33 caps for Colombia, has made 100 Premier League appearances as a Bournemouth player, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.

ID:515117:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3842:
Written by
Ben Sully

Click here for more stories about Jefferson Lerma

Click here for more stories about Bournemouth

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bruno Fernandes scores a penalty for Manchester United against Newcastle United in the Premier League on February 21, 2021
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Fernandes, Rashford, Pickford
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Everton236892328-526
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!