Position: Defender
Birthdate: 07/18/1999
Hometown: Puerto Carreño, Colombia
Previous Club: Once Caldas
Height: 6-2
Juan Sebastián Palma enters his second year with the Black and Yellow after signing in December 2022.
Palma’s first season in Charleston developed into a highly successful one as the Colombian continued to improve as the year went on. The center-back turned into a regular starter in the Battery’s run to the USL Championship Final, forming a formidable partnership with Leland Archer in the center of the defense.
In his first season in the United States, Palma recorded 95 clearances, 14 blocks, 27 interceptions, 87 duels won and one goal across 25 matches in league play (regular season and playoffs). He additionally featured in the Battery’s three 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches. Palma was honored with a selection to the Week 20 USLC Team of the Week.
Sebastián arrives in Charleston after spending the past five seasons with Colombian top-flight side Once Caldas. He made 24 appearances across all competitions for the club, primarily as a center-back. The 6-2 defender averaged 7.3 duels, 4.6 interceptions and 11.6 recoveries per 90 minutes in 2022.
A native of Puerto Carreño, Colombia, Sebastián previously represented his country at the youth international level. At 19 years old, he helped the Colombia U-21’s win the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games title, appearing in five matches and scoring one goal.
He was called up again in 2019 with the U-20’s for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, making three appearances while reaching the quarter-finals.
For Sebastián, his arrival in Charleston marks his first time playing outside Colombia. He previously played for academy side Club La Cantera in Risaralda, Colombia, before making the move to Once Caldas.