Kofi Balmer

Kofi Balmer (born 19 September 2000) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for 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 – after Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. However, the family had no Ghanaian lineage, and he was born on a Tuesday.

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. Manager David Jeffrey described him as "an old head on young shoulders". 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 sixteen games in the 2020–21 league campaign.

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. 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. He signed a contract extension the following month.

Crystal Palace
On 11 August 2022, Balmer was signed to Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee. Manager Patrick Vieira named him on the bench for three Premier League games in October 2022. 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. 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. He was recalled to Crystal Palace on 16 January 2024, having played 16 games for the Valiants.

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. Manager Johnnie Jackson said that "he will play a key role in helping us to kick-on in the second half of the season". He scored his first goal in the English Football League in a 2–0 win at Notts County on 9 March. He was reported to be a summer transfer target for St Mirren.

Motherwell
On 11 June 2024, Balmer agreed on a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, with the option of a further year.

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.

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.

Honours
Ballymena United
 * County Antrim Shield runner-up: 2018
 * Northern Ireland Football League Cup runner-up: 2018
 * Irish Cup runner-up: 2020

Larne
 * County Antrim Shield: 2022

Individual
 * Ulster Young Footballer of the Year: 2018–19