Jefferson Lerma: Bournemouth sign Levante midfielder for record £25m fee
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Jefferson Lerma, who has nine Colombia caps, is welcomed to Bournemouth by manager Eddie Howe
Colombia midfielder Jefferson Lerma has joined Bournemouth for a club record £25m fee from Spanish side Levante.
Lerma, who agreed a five-year deal, played in all Colombia's matches at the World Cup in Russia, including their last 16 defeat by England.
He is the Cherries' third signing of the summer transfer window.
The Premier League club had already recruited midfielder David Brooks from Sheffield United and full-back Diego Rico from Leganes.
The fee for Lerma surpasses the £20m Bournemouth paid Chelsea for Dutch defender Nathan Ake last summer.
"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," said Lerma.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said: "Jefferson is an extremely talented player and a very good athlete who will bring a different type of play to our midfield."
Chief executive Neill Blake added that it was a "huge statement" for the club.
