From AFC Wimbledon To European Football? Race For 23-Year-Old Hots Up

AFC Wimbledon loanee Kofi Balmer looked likely to swap League Two football for the UEFA Conference League with a move to Scottish side St Mirren, but now face competition from Motherwell, according to Alan Nixon. 

Balmer, who joined Wimbledon from Crystal Palace on loan in 2024, is the subject of a battle between St Mirren and fellow Scottish side Motherwell. The latter are reportedly willing to pay the asking price for the defender, understood to be in the region of £100,000.

The 23-year-old progressed through the ranks at Ballymena United, moving to Larne in 2021. His 43 senior appearances for the Northern Irish side prompted Crystal Palace to swoop in to add him to their U-21 squad. From there he went on loan first to Port Vale, where he made 16 appearances in League One. In January he then made the switch to League Two with AFC Wimbledon, appearing 17 times scoring once.

A good move for Kodi Balmer?

At 23 years old, it has become increasingly clear that he won’t break through at the Premier League side. He is yet to make a senior appearance and will more than likely be shipped out on loan again next season. Fortunately for him, unlike many Premier League academy ‘cast offs’ he has over 150 senior appearances across four clubs which could make him highly desirable for any potential suitor.

He has clearly got talent, having broken through at Ballymena and Larne at an early age, whilst also representing the Northern Irish youth sides from under 18 to under 21.

The move to St Mirren looked likely, but Motherwell appear confident to meet the fee Crystal Palace require. Should both sides meet the fee however, it could come down to the player of which the chance to appear in European football could be too good an opportunity to turn down having previously reached Europa League and Conference League qualifying stages with Ballymena and Larne between 2019 and 2022.