28th Apr 2024 • Written by Bobby Manzi

Exclusive: St Mirren make Kofi Balmer approach

St Mirren have made an approach for Crystal Palace centre-back Kofi Balmer, The Palace Way understands. 

The Saints - who are bidding for European football for the first time since 1987 - are one of several clubs who have enquired about the 23-year-old’s availability.

Balmer is heading into the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and has been told that he can leave the club this summer. 

He also has interest in England with Cheltenham - who have just been relegated from League One - showing an interest in the defender.

The defender enjoyed a successful second half of the 2023/24 season - after cutting short a loan move to League One Port Vale - with AFC Wimbledon starting seventeen games, keeping seven clean sheets. 

Dons boss, Johnnie Jackson utilised Balmer at both centre-back and right-back throughout his spell at Plough Lane, with the defender's monstrous long throw providing Wimbledon another avenue of attacking threat. 

It is understood that the South London club would be keen to make the move permanent as they aim for promotion to League One next season. 

Balmer joined the Eagles from Larne in 2022 after making over 130 appearances in senior football. The defender has earned caps for his country at both Under 19s and Under 21s with 25 appearances to his name. 

He earned his first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad in September 2022, featuring in the matchday squad for two nations league fixtures against Kosovo and Greece.

The 23-year-old is set to return to Crystal Palace training this week after the culmination of the AFC Wimbledon's season which saw the Dons run out 5-1 victors over Walsall on the final day, finishing tenth in League Two. 

Thumbnail Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

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