Kofi Balmer
With over 100 career appearances to his name in his early 20s, Kofi Balmer is an experienced centre-back who is good on the ball and calm under pressure.
KofiBalmer
out on loan
Def
Defender
Date of Birth
19.09.0019 September 2000
Country
Joined Team
11.08.2211 August 2022
The Northern Irish central defender joined the Eagles in summer 2022 from Larne F.C.
He made over 40 appearances across all competitions in their successful 2021/22 campaign, which saw them secure a Europa Conference League play-off spot.
Prior to playing for Larne, Balmer featured heavily for Ballymena United. He became a mainstay in the team after making his debut at 16 years old in the 2016/17 season, and helped them finish runners-up in the 2018/19 Northern Ireland Premiership.
Balmer has also made 17 appearances at international level for Northern Ireland Under-19s and Under-21s. In September 2022 he earned his first senior call-up to the national team.
The centre-back's consistent performances at the start of the 22/23 season saw him make the first-team bench against Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Newcastle United in the first half of the campaign before the World Cup break.
During the World Cup break, he featured in first-team friendlies against Botafogo and Real Valladolid.
He scored his first goal for the Under-21s in the 2-4 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023. He went on to make 33 appearances in all competitions for the U21s during his first season in south London, helping the side to the Premier League International Cup final where they finished runners-up against PSV.
Balmer extended his stay in SE25 at the end of the 22/23 campaign. He then joined League One side Port Vale on loan in July 2023.
The defender made 16 appearances for Port Vale, keeping three clean sheets. He also featured for the Valiants against Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup quarter-final. In January 2024, Balmer moved to AFC Wimbledon on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
He kept a clean sheet on his debut for AFC Wimbledon and went on to keep seven in total in his 17 games for the Dons. He also notched a goal against Notts County and three assists in his last four games via his dangerous long throw.
Balmer highlights
View All Videos- 07:37
U21 Match Highlights: Brighton 2-4 Palace
- 02:08
Palace players surprise kids at Christmas party
- 01:27
Palace play golf at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort
- 02:51
Kofi Balmer's first interview after signing for Palace