Justin Lerma: Profile, playing style, scouting report

Lerma recently signed for Bundesliga club Dortmund

Justin Lerma, who is from Guayaquil, began working for Guayaquil City when he was eight years old. Independiente Del Valle Academy was subsequently acquired by him. He got promoted to the first team of the Independiente del Valle in April 2024, at the age of fifteen.

On April 10, 2024, he was not utilised as a substitute in the Copa Libertadores group phase encounter against San Lorenzo. He was fifteen years old, and hundreds of people have made jokes about whether or not he is indeed fifteen years old due to his look and robust stature for his age. With over two million views, the video featuring his remarks has truly gone viral.

On April 14, 2024, he appeared in his professional debut with Independiente Del Valle against Universidad Católica in a 2-2 Ecuadorian Serie A draw.

Move to Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund recruited 16-year-old Justin Lerma from Independiente de Valle in Ecuador with an eye towards the future. In addition to his club and national teammate Kendry Paez, who just joined Chelsea, the Ecuadorian youth star is also highly regarded.

When Dortmund’s scouts were trying to sign Paez in 2023, Lerma is said to have captured their attention. Lerma recently made his First Division debut in Ecuador. Stalin Cobena of Ecuador’s Mundo Deportivo broke the story first.

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According to the details, Lerma will sign a five-year contract and the deal will cost $10 million. He will play for the first team of Independiente de Valle for the following two years before moving on to play for Borussia Dortmund in 2026. The Ecuadorian team keeps its “significant” sell-on clause.

Lerma is definitely someone to watch out for. He has played for Ecuador’s young national team in both the midfield and front line, but according to various people who know the play, the player’s future is in the centre, most likely as an aggressive “number 8” or offensive midfielder.

It’s important to note Lerma’s physical attributes. Tall for his age, he will have two years in Ecuador’s First Division to get used to the competitive nature of professional football before joining the Bundesliga. A new wave of talent to emerge from Quito includes Moises Canceido, Kendry Paez, and Justin Lerma, and Independiente de Valle has started to build a reputation with them.

Considering that Lerma’s contract had been discussed before Sven Mislintat’s arrival at Borussia Dortmund, it is believed that the scout had minimal influence over this signing.

Justin Lerma’s playing style

He has played for Ecuador’s young national team in both the midfield and front line, but according to various people familiar with the play, his future is in the centre, most likely as an aggressive “number 8” or attacking midfielder. It’s important to note Lerma’s physical attributes.

Tall for his age, he will have two years in Ecuador’s First Division to get used to the competitive nature of professional football before joining the Bundesliga.

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