Bournemouth smash transfer record to sign Colombian star Jefferson Lerma for £25m from Levante
Midfielder completes his move to the South Coast after passing medical and penning a five-year contract
BOURNEMOUTH have smashed their transfer record to complete the £25million signing of Jefferson Lerma.
The Colombian, 23, has joined from Spanish side Levante on a five-year deal.
Lerma told the : “I’m so happy to be an AFC Bournemouth player.
“The transfer has been very long because it took a while for the clubs to reach an agreement, but the most important thing is that I am here now and everyone got what they wanted in the end.
“I have always loved the Premier League style of football and am very happy to have this opportunity.
“I am looking forward to success and doing important things for this club.”
Boss Eddie Howe added: “It’s no secret that Jefferson has been someone we have chased for a while this summer.
“It’s been a complicated deal but I am certain it will be worth all the hard work that people have put in to make this happen.
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“Jefferson is an extremely talented player and a very good athlete who will bring a different type of play to our midfield.
“He has a lot of qualities that will be suited to the Premier League and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Lerma will add bite to the Cherries’ midfield that lacked a destroyer last season.
He joins fellow new recruits David Brooks and Diego Rico, who have also arrived this summer from Sheffield United and Leganes respectively.
Lerma featured for his country at the World Cup this summer, including the penalty shootout defeat to England.
Amazingly, the ace was booked 18 TIMES for the La Liga side last season in just 28 top-flight matches.