Kofi Balmer

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. 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.

Larne Balmer joined Irish Premiership rivals Larne to become a full-time professional. Larne also won the County Antrim Shield, beating league champions Linfield in the final; 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. 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. 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. 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.

In August 2025, he was the subject of transfer interest from Danish club Kolding IF after being dropped by new Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou. He played five league games in the first half of the 2025–26 campaign,

Bristol Rovers On 12 January 2026, Balmer joined League Two club Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. Manager Steve Evans said that "he spoke of having lots to prove and I love kids who have that desire when they come here". On 3 February, he scored his first goal for the club, volleying home from the edge of the penalty area as Rovers beat Walsall 2–0 to move further away from the relegation zone, a strike later voted as the club's goal of the season. Following the match, he claimed that he had "never hit a ball that well in [his] life". He helped the team to go on an eight-game winning run as the season drew to a close. Motherwell released Balmer upon the expiry of his contract, and Steve Evans said he was confident of bringing Balmer back to Bristol Rovers.

On 8 June 2026, Bristol Rovers announced that Balmer had agreed to return to the club on a permanent two-year deal.

International career Balmer is a youth international for Northern Ireland, having played with the under-19s and under-21s, captaining both sides. He was called up by Michael O'Neill in August 2025.

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.

Career statistics

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