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This time Borussia Dortmund were fast, really fast even. Two years before Justin Lerma was permitted to move to Europe, Dortmund signed the Ecuadorian. Scouted by many top clubs, the 16-year-old will move to Germany in the summer of 2026. Lerma will be the first Ecuadorian to wear the famous black and yellow jersey. 

Lerma has been part of the academy of two times Copa Sudamericana winners Independiente del Valle for five years. A club that has been the backbone of Ecuador’s emergence as a football nation. The attacking talent stood out early on, often leading his teams as a captain on the pitch. “What stands out is his physicality, his one-v-one abilities, technique, and his abilities with his right foot,” Transfermarkt Data Administrator South America Christopher García said when asked about the box-to-box player, who often stands out with the ability to dictate the tempo of the game. Aside from playing on the center of the pitch, he can also play as a left midfielder from where he can into the center. 

In 2024, the midfielder spent the preseason with Independiente’s first team, and then in April, in the 2-2 draw against Universidad Católica (2-2) he made his debut aged 15, 11 months and nine days old. Since then, Lerma has added 287 minutes across 15 games in all competitions for IDV. It would have been more games if Ecuadorian youth teams hadn’t consistently called him up. In October, while playing for the U15, he narrowly lost out on winning the South America Championship in a penalty shootout against Paraguay (3-4). Right now, he is with the U20, as his country is preparing for the South America Championships that will take place in January. 

The next Páez? Dortmund beat out top clubs 

Lerma names Moisés Caicedo and Kendry Páez as role models. Chelsea signed both. Dortmund were also interested in signing Páez but lost out to the London club. This time, the Bundesliga club was faster, despite significant interest from English clubs. “We have kept an eye on Justin for some time and were in close talks with the player and his family,” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said. “Justin is among the top South American talents, and we look forward to having him at Borussia Dortmund.” 

Dortmund paid €4m plus bonus payments and a sell-on fee to secure what the club considers an investment in the future. “It is a big step for me and my career,” Lerma said after signing for Dortmund. “It all went really fast.” But his focus for now remains on Independiente. “Dortmund is the future; now I must focus on the club, focus on playing games, and support the team. We have to live in the now and fight for titles.” 

This season isn’t over for Lerma either. Aside from finishing second in the U15 South America Championship, Lerma and Independiente also lost out in the final for the Ecuadorian league title to LDU Quito (0-3/1-0) and the Copa-Ecuador final against CD El Nacional (0-1) . “I know I have only just graduated from the youth team, but you have to develop a personality,” Lerma said, pointing out that he wants more influence next season. But before that, he will visit Dortmund to get to know the city and club better.

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2007 and 2008. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.