Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid’s rival in the Champions League final on June 1, completed the signing of the Ecuadorian youth soccer player Justin Lerma, just turned 16, the latest promise of the Valley Independentwith whom he recently debuted in the first team in a match of the Ecuador Pro League.
Lerma, who debuted in April when he was still 15 years old, will continue playing for Independiente del Valle until he comes of age. at which time he will formally join the ranks of the German team, as indicated by the Ecuadorian club this Monday in a statement. The Ecuadorian footballer will wear the yellow shirt starting in the 2026-2027 season.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl He commented that they have been following Justin’s progress “for a long time. We have maintained a close relationship with him and his family. He is one of the best South American talents of his generation and we are excited to have him at Borussia Dortmund,” he said.
The official statement from Independiente del Valle does not include the figure for which the transfer of Lerma was agreed. Although some Ecuadorian media point out that It can be around 10 million dollarsto which a percentage of a future transfer of Lerma from Borussia Dortmund to another club would be added.
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Under this figure, Independiente del Valle also recently completed the transfer of Kendry Páez, 16, to Chelsea, who will wait until he reaches the age of majority to incorporate the player, who is already an undisputed starter in the Independiente del Valle first team and has also earned a place in the starting eleven of the Ecuador national team.
In the case of Lerma, Borussia Dortmund made his signing official when the footballer barely accumulates 65 minutes in the Independiente del Valle first team, as a result of two appearances in the Ecuadorian Pro League in two matches in which he came on from the substitutes’ bench against Universidad Católica and El Nacional.
