Kofi Balmer
Balmer with Port Vale in 2023
Personal information
Full name Kofi Balmer[1]
Date of birth (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 (age 23)[2]
Place of birth Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland[3]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 AFC Wimbledon
(on loan from Crystal Palace)
Number 5
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)
2023–2024 → Port Vale (loan) 11 (0)
2024– → AFC Wimbledon (loan) 13 (1)
International career
2018 Northern Ireland U19 5 (0)
2019–2022 Northern Ireland U21 20 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:00, 1 April 2024 (UTC)

Kofi Balmer (born 19 September 2000) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League Two club AFC Wimbledon, on loan from Premier League club Crystal Palace. He has won caps for Northern Ireland up to under-21 level.

Balmer made his debut in the NIFL Premiership with Ballymena United in April 2017, aged only 16. He spent just over four seasons with the club, playing on the losing side in the 2018 County Antrim Shield, 2018 Northern Ireland Football League Cup, and 2020 Irish Cup finals. He was named as Ulster Young Footballer of the Year for the 2018–19 season. He turned professional upon joining Larne in 2021, and the following year would win the County Antrim Shield. He was sold to Crystal Palace in August 2022, from where he was loaned out to Port Vale for the first half of the 2023–24 season and AFC Wimbledon for the second half.

Early life

Kofi Balmer was born on 19 September 2000 in Newtownabbey.[3] His parents named him Kofi – a name traditionally given to a child born on a Friday by the Akan people – after Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, though there was no Ghanaian lineage in the family and he was born on a Tuesday.[4][5]

Club career

Ballymena United

Balmer scored on his NIFL Premiership debut for Ballymena United on 29 April 2017, aged only 16, securing a 1–1 draw at Coleraine.[6][7][8] Manager David Jeffrey described him as "an old head on young shoulders".[9] He played 27 matches in the 2017–18 season, and also featured in the County Antrim Shield defeat to Crusaders and in the Northern Ireland Football League Cup final defeat to Dungannon Swifts.[10][11] He was named as Ulster Young Footballer of the Year in after featuring 28 times in the 2018–19 campaign.[7] He played 24 games in the 2019–20 season, including four appearances in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League.[2] He also played in the 2020 Irish Cup defeat to Glentoran at Windsor Park.[12] A key member of the team who delivered decisive performances on a regular basis, he scored four goals in sixteen games in the 2020–21 league campaign.[13][14]

Larne

Balmer joined Irish Premiership rivals Larne to become a full-time professional.[7] During the 2021–22 season, he played 35 league games,[8] and also played in four UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying matches, where Larne made it to the third round where they were knocked out by Portuguese Primeira Liga side Paços de Ferreira despite winning 1–0 at Inver Park.[15][16] Larne also won the County Antrim Shield, beating league champions Linfield in the final;[15] Balmer played in the 1–0 victory on 11 January, despite having to face his father's death the previous week.[17] He signed a contract extension the following month.[18]

Crystal Palace

On 11 August 2022, Balmer was signed to Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee.[19][20] Manager Patrick Vieira named him on the bench for three Premier League games in October 2022.[21] He featured 33 times for the under-21 side, including in the side's run to the Premier League International Cup final.[22][21] On 15 July 2023, he joined League One side Port Vale on loan for the 2023–24 season, having already played for manager Andy Crosby in his international career.[23][24] He tore his hamstring in a 1–0 defeat to Peterborough United at Vale Park on 24 October, which saw him ruled out of action for six weeks.[25] He was recalled to Crystal Palace on 16 January 2024, having played 16 games for the Valiants.[26]

On 31 January 2024, Balmer joined League Two club AFC Wimbledon on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season, having been recommended to the club by former Vale teammate Ethan Chislett.[27] Manager Johnnie Jackson said that "he will play a key role in helping us to kick-on in the second-half of the season".[28] He scored his first goal in the English Football League in a 2–0 win at Notts County on 9 March.[29]

International career

Balmer is a youth international for Northern Ireland, having played with the under-19s and under-21s, captaining both sides.[7]

He was first called to the Northern Ireland senior team by Ian Baraclough in September 2022.[30][31]

Style of play

Playing mainly as a centre-back, Balmer is also able to play on both sides, as a full-back or a wing-back.[16] He is good on the ball and cool under pressure, with good leadership skills.[22][32]

Career statistics

As of match played 1 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ballymena United 2016–17[2] NIFL Premiership 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2017–18[2] NIFL Premiership 23 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 27 2
2018–19[2] NIFL Premiership 24 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 28 1
2019–20[2] NIFL Premiership 16 0 2 0 1 0 5[a] 0 24 0
2020–21[2] NIFL Premiership 16 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 19 4
Total 80 8 7 0 7 0 5 0 99 0
Larne 2021–22[2] NIFL Premiership 35 3 2 0 0 0 4[b] 0 41 3
2022–23[2] NIFL Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 2 0
Total 35 3 2 0 0 0 6 0 43 3
Crystal Palace 2022–23[33] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24[34] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crystal Palace U21 2022–23[33] — — — 2[c] 0 2 0
Port Vale (loan) 2023–24[34] League One 11 0 0 0 2 0 3[c] 0 16 0
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2023–24[34] League Two 13 1 — — 0 0 13 1
Career total 139 12 9 0 9 0 16 0 173 12
  1. ^ 1 appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup and 4 appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Ballymena United

Larne

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2022/23 retained lists". www.premierleague.com. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kofi Balmer at Soccerway. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b Kofi Balmer at Soccerbase
  4. ^ Ayamga, Emmanuel (12 August 2022). "Kofi Balmer: Meet Irish footballer named after Kofi Annan". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  5. ^ Mumuni, Lukman (12 August 2022). ""Kofi Broni": GH fans react after Crystal Palace sign Irishman named Kofi Balmer". sportsbrief.com. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  6. ^ Bailie, Keith (11 August 2022). "Kofi Balmer feels 'amazing' as Crystal Palace switch is confirmed". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e "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.
  8. ^ a b "Larne defender Balmer signs for Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  9. ^ Burrows, Paul (1 May 2017). "Balmer takes his chance to impress for Ballymena United". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders". Ballymena United Football Club Official Website. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Ballymena United vs. Dungannon Swifts - 17 February 2018 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Ballymena United vs. Glentoran - 31 July 2020 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Van Dort, Patrick; Watson, Albert (18 September 2021). "Albert Watson knew Kofi Balmer was special talent from first view". News Letter. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Mutch, Michael (2 August 2022). "Crystal Palace reportedly on verge of signing Northern Ireland youth Kofi Balmer". football.london. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  16. ^ a b 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.
  17. ^ Fullerton, Darren (12 January 2022). "Larne star pays tribute to late dad Jimmy after Shield success". BelfastLive. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  18. ^ Fullerton, Gareth (1 February 2022). "Lynch hails young defender after signing contract extension". BelfastLive. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  19. ^ Fullerton, Gareth (11 August 2022). "Kofi Balmer completes "surreal" move to Crystal Palace". BelfastLive. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Larne defender Balmer signs for Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  21. ^ a b Morton, Johnny (14 July 2023). "Former Larne defender on verge of loan move from Premier League club to League One". News Letter. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Kofi Balmer - Midfielder | First-Team". Crystal Palace F.C. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Kofi Balmer joins the Valiants on Season-Long Loan". Port Vale F.C. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Port Vale sign Palace defender Balmer on loan". BBC Sport. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  25. ^ Baggaley, Mike (29 October 2023). "Port Vale booed off as Darrell Clarke earns win on return". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Kofi Balmer returns from loan - News". Crystal Palace F.C. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  27. ^ Thorpe, Chris (31 January 2024). "Balmer in the bag! Kofi joins the Dons". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Wimbledon sign Palace defender Balmer on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Notts County 0-2 Wimbledon". BBC. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Balmer handed first NI call-up as Lewis returns". BBC Sport. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ Brack, Edmund (11 January 2023). "'Leadership and maturity' – Patrick Vieira praises Crystal Palace academy defender". South London News. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Games played by Kofi Balmer in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  34. ^ a b c "Games played by Kofi Balmer in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
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