Kofi Balmer will be making a ‘brilliant move’ if he joins Crystal Palace in the Premier League from Larne FC, former Northern Ireland international Stephen Craigan tells the Belfast Telegraph.
Already this summer, 17-year-old Patrick Kelly has swapped Coleraine for West Ham United. Jack Patterson left Crusaders for Everton.
And with Sky Sports claiming that Crystal Palace have agreed a fee for Balmer, another of Northern Ireland’s most exciting up-and-comers appears to be on his way across the sea.
The 21-year-old central defender, who only arrived at Larne from Ballymena United in 2021, has already made nearly 100 senior league appearances. He’s got European experience on his CV too.
And while the cynics will say this is ‘too much too soon, Craigan feels Crystal Palace is an opportunity too good to resist.
Crystal Palace close in on Larne defender Koffi Balmer
“I really like Kofi as a player. This will be a brilliant move for him,” said Craigan, who won 54 caps for his country while representing the likes of Motherwell and Partick Thistle.
“He’s moved from Ballymena United to Larne and now Palace, which shows you the pathway is there.”
Balmer, dubbed a ‘top, top player’ by former Larne hero Alan Watson, is likely to play for Crystal Palace’s U23 side initially, potentially while honing his considerable talents alongside the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Odsonne Edouard during Patrick Vieira’s training sessions.
Craigan, however, hopes that Balmer will not be content with a supporting role at Selhurst Park.
‘Brilliant move for him’
“The challenge for the lads is; Can they progress and play in the first team and play in the Premier League? That will take time. But the players can’t accept just being a number in a squad — push on and get in the first team,” Craigan adds.
“The more players we have in the first teams the better it will be for our international team. Kofi needs to keep pushing the boundaries and I’m confident he will do that.
“Kofi has had great coaching, which has got him this far. And now he can take this opportunity with both hands and take his game to the next level.
“Dedicate your career and life to being a full-time football player. He’s taken the right step, now don’t just admire where you are, push on and ruffle a few feathers. Show the manager what you can do.”
Crystal Palace brought in another young talent – midfielder Killian Phillips – from the Republic of Ireland back in January. And Vieira was full of praise for the 20-year-old after a lively performance during the pre-season meeting with Liverpool in July (Football London).
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