Kofi Balmer

Kofi Balmer (born 19 September 2000) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Crystal Palace, as a defender.[1]

Kofi Balmer
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000
Place of birth Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Crystal Palace
Number 43
Youth career
Ballymena United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2021 Ballymena United 80 (8)
2021–2022 Larne 35 (3)
2022– Crystal Palace 0 (0)
International career‡
2018 Northern Ireland U19 5 (0)
2019–2022 Northern Ireland U21 20 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 September 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 September 2022

Club career

Kofi Balmer made his professional debut for Ballymena United in April 2017, aged only 16, during the late stages of the NIFL Premiership.[2][3][4]

With the club from Ballymena he started a total of 74 Premiership games, also being named Ulster Young Footballer of the Year in 2019.[3] By 2021, he had become a key member of the team, delivering decisive performances on a regular basis.[5][6]

After playing semi-professional football at Ballymena for 5 seasons, he joined Premiership rivals Larne to become a full-time professional.[3] During the 2021–22 season he played a total of 45 games with 7 goals for the club,[4] including the Europa Conference League qualifying matches, where Larne made it to the 3rd round only being knocked out by Portuguese Primeira Liga side Paços de Ferreira, despite a 1–0 home win.[7][8]

His team also managed to win the County Antrim Shield, beating league champions Linfield in the final,[7] Balmer playing taking part in this 1-0 victory on 11 January 2022, despite having to face his father's death the previous week.[9]

Kofi Balmer was transferred to Premier League side Crystal Palace on 11 August 2022, first joining the under-21 squad playing in the Premier League 2.[2][4]

International career

Balmer is a youth international for Northern Ireland, having played with the under-19s and under-21s, captaining both sides.[3]

He was first called to the Northern Ireland senior team by Ian Baraclough in September 2022.[10][11]

Style of play

Playing mainly as a centre-back, Kofi Balmer is also able to play on both sides, as a full-back or a wing-back.[8]

Honours

Larne FC

Individual

  • Ulster Young Footballer of the Year 2018–19[3]

References
  1. Kofi Balmer at Soccerway. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  2. Bailie, Keith (11 August 2022). "Kofi Balmer feels 'amazing' as Crystal Palace switch is confirmed". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  3. "Ballymena United's Kofi Balmer set for summer move to Danske Bank Premiership rivals". Belfast Telegraph. 19 April 2021. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  4. "Larne defender Balmer signs for Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  5. McKendry, Adam (3 May 2021). "Kofi Balmer is relishing the challenge as Ballymena United keep their European dream alive". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  6. Van Dort, Patrick; Watson, Albert (18 September 2021). "Albert Watson knew Kofi Balmer was special talent from first view". The News Letter. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  7. Mutch, Michael (2 August 2022). "Crystal Palace reportedly on verge of signing Northern Ireland youth Kofi Balmer". football.london. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  8. Luney, Graham (3 August 2022). "Northern Ireland defender Kofi Balmer can fly high in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, believes Stephen Craigan". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  9. Fullerton, Darren (12 January 2022). "Larne star pays tribute to late dad Jimmy after Shield success". BelfastLive. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  10. "Balmer handed first NI call-up as Lewis returns". BBC Sport. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  11. McKendry, Adam (15 September 2022). "Kofi Balmer called up to Northern Ireland squad for first time ahead of final Nations League fixtures with Kosovo and Greece". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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