Kofi Balmer
{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kofi Balmer
| image = Kofi Balmer (2).jpg
| caption = Balmer with Port Vale in 2023
| fullname = Kofi Balmer{{cite news |title=Premier League clubs publish 2022/23 retained lists |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3537139 |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=www.premierleague.com |date=16 June 2023 |language=en}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|9|19|df=y}}{{Soccerway|id=kofi-balmer/482126|accessdate=18 September 2022}}
| birth_place = Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland{{Soccerbase|102639}}
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Motherwell
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Ballymena United
| years1 = 2016–2021
| clubs1 = Ballymena United
| caps1 = 80
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2021–2022
| clubs2 = Larne
| caps2 = 35
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2022–2024
| clubs3 = Crystal Palace
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2023–2024
| clubs4 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps4 = 11
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2024
| clubs5 = → AFC Wimbledon (loan)
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2024–
| clubs6 = Motherwell
| caps6 = 20
| goals6 = 0
| club-update = 11 June 2025
| nationalyears1 = 2018
| nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2019–2022
| nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U21
| nationalcaps2 = 20
| nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
Kofi Balmer (born 19 September 2000) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{Scottish football updater|Motherwe}} club Motherwell. 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 Ulster Young Footballer of the Year for the 2018–19 season. Upon joining Larne in 2021, he turned professional and would win the County Antrim Shield the following year. 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. He signed with Scottish club Motherwell in June 2024.
Early life
Kofi Balmer was born on 19 September 2000 in Newtownabbey. His parents named him Kofi – a name traditionally given to a child born on a Friday by the Akan people – reportedly after Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. However, the family had no Ghanaian lineage, and he was born on a Tuesday.{{cite news |last1=Ayamga |first1=Emmanuel |title=Kofi Balmer: Meet Irish footballer named after Kofi Annan |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/kofi-balmer-meet-irish-footballer-named-after-kofi-annan/d1c9h15 |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=Pulse Ghana |date=12 August 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Mumuni |first1=Lukman |title="Kofi Broni": GH fans react after Crystal Palace sign Irishman named Kofi Balmer |url=https://sportsbrief.com/football/21746-ghanaians-set-internet-ablaze-crystal-palace-announce-signing-irishman-ghanaian-name/ |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=sportsbrief.com |date=12 August 2022 |language=en}}
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.{{Cite news |last=Bailie |first=Keith |date=11 August 2022 |title=Kofi Balmer feels 'amazing' as Crystal Palace switch is confirmed |language=en-GB |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/larne/kofi-balmer-feels-amazing-as-crystal-palace-switch-is-confirmed-41905752.html |access-date=2022-09-18 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |date=19 April 2021 |title=Ballymena United's Kofi Balmer set for summer move to Danske Bank Premiership rivals |language=en-GB |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/ballymena-united/ballymena-uniteds-kofi-balmer-set-for-summer-move-to-danske-bank-premiership-rivals-40329375.html |access-date=2022-09-18 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |date=11 August 2022 |title=Larne defender Balmer signs for Crystal Palace |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62396150 |access-date=2022-09-18}} Manager David Jeffrey described him as "an old head on young shoulders".{{cite news |last1=Burrows |first1=Paul |title=Balmer takes his chance to impress for Ballymena United |url=https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/balmer-takes-his-chance-to-impress-for-ballymena-united/35668467.html |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=1 May 2017}} 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. He was named as Ulster Young Footballer of the Year in after featuring 28 times in the 2018–19 campaign. He played 24 games in the 2019–20 season, including four appearances in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League. He also played in the 2020 Irish Cup defeat to Glentoran at Windsor Park. A key member of the team who delivered decisive performances on a regular basis, he scored four goals in 16 games in the 2020–21 league campaign.{{Cite news |last=McKendry |first=Adam |date=3 May 2021 |title=Kofi Balmer is relishing the challenge as Ballymena United keep their European dream alive |language=en-GB |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/ballymena-united/balmer-is-relishing-the-challenge-as-ballymena-keep-their-european-dream-alive-40379883.html |access-date=2022-09-18 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news|last=Van Dort |first=Patrick |last2=Watson |first2=Albert |author-link2=Albert Watson (footballer, born 1985) |date=2021-09-18 |title=Albert Watson knew Kofi Balmer was special talent from first view |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/albert-watson-knew-kofi-balmer-was-special-talent-from-first-view-3387917 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=News Letter |language=en}}
=Larne=
Balmer joined Irish Premiership rivals Larne to become a full-time professional. During the 2021–22 season, he played 35 league games, 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.{{Cite web |last=Mutch |first=Michael |date=2022-08-02 |title=Crystal Palace reportedly on verge of signing Northern Ireland youth Kofi Balmer |url=https://www.football.london/crystal-palace-fc/news/crystal-palace-transfer-northern-ireland-24653550 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=football.london |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Luney |first=Graham |date=3 August 2022 |title=Northern Ireland defender Kofi Balmer can fly high in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, believes Stephen Craigan |language=en-GB |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/larne/northern-ireland-defender-kofi-balmer-can-fly-high-in-the-premier-league-with-crystal-palace-believes-stephen-craigan-41886227.html |access-date=2022-09-18 |issn=0307-1235}} Larne also won the County Antrim Shield, beating league champions Linfield in the final; Balmer played in the 1–0 victory on 11 January, despite having to face his father's death the previous week.{{Cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Darren |date=2022-01-12 |title=Larne star pays tribute to late dad Jimmy after Shield success |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/larne-star-kofi-balmer-pays-22720764 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=BelfastLive |language=en}} He signed a contract extension the following month.{{cite news |last1=Fullerton |first1=Gareth |title=Lynch hails young defender after signing contract extension |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/larne-fc-boss-tiernan-lynch-22944384 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=BelfastLive |date=1 February 2022 |language=en}}
=Crystal Palace=
On 11 August 2022, Balmer was signed to Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |last1=Fullerton |first1=Gareth |title=Kofi Balmer completes "surreal" move to Crystal Palace |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kofi-balmer-completes-surreal-move-24730993 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=BelfastLive |date=11 August 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Larne defender Balmer signs for Crystal Palace |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62396150 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2022}} Manager Patrick Vieira named him on the bench for three Premier League games in October 2022.{{cite news |last1=Morton |first1=Johnny |title=Former Larne defender on verge of loan move from Premier League club to League One |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/former-larne-defender-on-verge-of-loan-move-from-premier-league-club-to-league-one-4219822 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=News Letter |date=14 July 2023}} He featured 33 times for the under-21 side, including in the side's run to the Premier League International Cup final. 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.{{cite news |title=Kofi Balmer joins the Valiants on Season-Long Loan |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/july/kofi-balmer-joins-the-valiants-on-season-long-loan/ |access-date=15 July 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=15 July 2023 |language=en-gb}}{{cite news |title=Port Vale sign Palace defender Balmer on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66211231 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2023}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Port Vale booed off as Darrell Clarke earns win on return |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/port-vale-booed-off-as-darrell-clarke |access-date=29 October 2023 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=29 October 2023}} He was recalled to Crystal Palace on 16 January 2024, having played 16 games for the Valiants.{{cite news |title=Kofi Balmer returns from loan - News |url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/academy/kofi-balmer-returns-from-loan/ |access-date=16 January 2024 |work=Crystal Palace F.C. |date=16 January 2024}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Thorpe |first1=Chris |title=Balmer in the bag! Kofi joins the Dons |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2024/january/balmer-in-the-bag-kofi-joins-the-dons/ |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |date=31 January 2024 |language=en-gb}} Manager Johnnie Jackson said that "he will play a key role in helping us to kick-on in the second half of the season".{{cite news |title=Wimbledon sign Palace defender Balmer on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68154896 |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2024}} He scored his first goal in the English Football League in a 2–0 win at Notts County on 9 March.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68454973|title=Notts County 0-2 Wimbledon|publisher=BBC |date=9 March 2024 |access-date=12 March 2024}} He was reported to be a summer transfer target for St Mirren.{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Scott |title=Crystal Palace starlet Kofi Balmer in St Mirren transfer talks |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/kofi-balmer-st-mirren-transfer-32690783 |access-date=14 May 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=28 April 2024 |language=en}}
=Motherwell=
On 11 June 2024, Balmer agreed on a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, with the option of a further year.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Scott |title=Kofi Balmer is our first summer signing |url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2024/06/11/kofi-balmer-is-our-first-summer-signing/ |access-date=13 June 2024 |work=Motherwell FC |date=11 June 2024 |language=en}} He scored on his debut for the "Steelmen" in the Scottish League Cup the following month, though had to wait until the end of September for his Premiership debut when he entered the pitch as a substitute following a red card to Dan Casey.{{cite news |title=Motherwell's Kofi Balmer ready to seize his chance after long wait |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cqjrg4ryjq2o |access-date=22 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2024}} He was sent off in a 2–0 defeat at Kilmarnock on 5 April. However, his red card was overturned on appeal after manager Michael Wimmer saw the sending off as a refereeing error.{{cite news |title=Kofi Balmer's red overturned as Motherwell cite VAR 'concerns' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ceqrjerv13xo |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2025}}
International career
Balmer is a youth international for Northern Ireland, having played with the under-19s and under-21s, captaining both sides.
Balmer was first called to the Northern Ireland senior team by Ian Baraclough in September 2022.{{Cite news |date=15 September 2022 |title=Balmer handed first NI call-up as Lewis returns |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62914266 |access-date=2022-09-18}}{{Cite news |last=McKendry |first=Adam |date=15 September 2022 |title=Kofi Balmer called up to Northern Ireland squad for first time ahead of final Nations League fixtures with Kosovo and Greece |language=en-GB |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/kofi-balmer-called-up-to-northern-ireland-squad-for-first-time-ahead-of-final-nations-league-fixtures-with-kosovo-and-greece-41991253.html |access-date=2022-09-18 |issn=0307-1235}}
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. He is good on the ball and cool under pressure, with good leadership skills.{{cite web |title=Kofi Balmer - Midfielder {{!}} First-Team |url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/kofi-balmer/ |website=Crystal Palace F.C. |access-date=15 July 2023 |date=8 January 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Brack |first1=Edmund |title='Leadership and maturity' – Patrick Vieira praises Crystal Palace academy defender |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/leadership-and-maturity-patrick-vieira-praises-crystal-palace-academy-defender/ |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=South London News |date=11 January 2023}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| rowspan="6"|Ballymena United | NIFL Premiership | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017–18 | NIFL Premiership | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 |
| 2018–19 | NIFL Premiership | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| 2019–20 | NIFL Premiership | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|1 appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup and 4 appearances in the UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | NIFL Premiership | 16 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 4 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!80 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 99 | 8 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Larne | NIFL Premiership | 35 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=ECL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | 41 | 3 |
| 2022–23 | NIFL Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=ECL}} | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!35 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 43 | 3 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Crystal Palace
|2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=102639|season=2022|accessdate=1 July 2022}} | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=102639|season=2023|accessdate=1 July 2022}} | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2" |Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Crystal Palace U21 | colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Port Vale (loan) | League One | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| AFC Wimbledon (loan) | League Two | 17 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
| Motherwell
|2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=102639|season=2024|accessdate=1 July 2022}} | Scottish Premiership | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 23 | 1 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!163 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 200 | 13 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Ballymena United
- County Antrim Shield runner-up: 2018{{cite news |title=Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders |url=https://www.ballymenaunitedfc.com/report/report_new.php?reportid=205&sseason=201718 |access-date=15 July 2023 |work=Ballymena United Football Club Official Website |date=23 January 2018}}
- Northern Ireland Football League Cup runner-up: 2018{{cite web |title=Ballymena United vs. Dungannon Swifts - 17 February 2018 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/17/northern-ireland/league-cup/ballymena-united-fc/dungannon-swifts-fc/2736965/ |website=int.soccerway.com |access-date=15 July 2023}}
- Irish Cup runner-up: 2020{{cite web |title=Ballymena United vs. Glentoran - 31 July 2020 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2020/07/31/northern-ireland/irish-cup/ballymena-united-fc/glentoran-fc/3314702/ |website=int.soccerway.com |access-date=15 July 2023}}
Larne
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
{{Motherwell F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balmer, Kofi}}
Category:People from Newtownabbey
Category:Association footballers from County Antrim
Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland
Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland
Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Ballymena United F.C. players
Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:AFC Wimbledon players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players