According to reports in BBC Sport, journalists Alex Howell and Sami Mokbel have revealed that midfielder Jefferson Lerma has agreed to a new two-year contract with Crystal Palace.
The Colombian midfielder, who joined the club on a free transfer from Bournemouth in 2023, was entering the final year of his previous deal but has now committed his long-term future to Selhurst Park until June 2028.
Extending a record-breaking spell in English football
The agreement puts an end to several months of background speculation regarding the 31-year-old’s long-term future.Earlier in the summer, reports indicated that Lerma’s representatives had been evaluating potential alternative destinations with La Liga outfits Valencia and Sevilla monitoring the situation after he turned down an initial contract proposal.
Palace subsequently activated a club option extending his terms through 2027 to protect his market valuation. Continued negotiations have now yielded a direct two-year extension that provides complete long-term security for both the player and the club hierarchy.
By staying at Selhurst Park, Lerma continues to build on his legacy as one of South America’s most durable Premier League exports. Having first moved to England when Bournemouth signed him from Levante in August 2018, he already holds the record for the most Premier League appearances by a Colombian player. If he sees out the full duration of his new deal through 2028, he will complete a decade of service in English football.
Securing Lerma’s long-term presence represents a strategic victory for new manager Pierre Sage as Palace prepare for an expanded European and domestic schedule.
- Dressing Room Leadership: Following high-profile defensive departures including Marc Guéhi to Manchester City in January and Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea Lerma remains one of the team’s most senior voices.
- Positional Flexibility: Across 119 appearances over the past three seasons, the 31-year-old has established himself as a reliable asset in central midfield while repeatedly filling in as a central defender when required.
- Squad Depth: His retention provides vital tactical stability alongside recent defensive addition Takehiro Tomiyasu and a central rotation featuring Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Cheick Doucouré, and Chadi Riad.
| Category | Career Detail |
| Current Club | Crystal Palace 🏴 |
| Contract Expiry | June 2028 |
| Previous Clubs | Atletico Huila, Levante, Bournemouth |
| Palace Appearances | 119 across all competitions |
| International Status | Senior Colombia international 🇨🇴 |
With Palace aiming to navigate their first UEFA Europa League league phase, retaining Lerma’s physical presence and big-match experience ensures Sage maintains adequate depth across multiple competitions throughout the demanding 2026–27 campaign.
