Seb Palmer-Houlden

Sebastian Palmer-Houlden (born 14 November 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Motherwell. He was previously on the books of Bristol City and Gillingham and played on loan for Chippenham Town, Yeovil Town, Newport County, and Dundee.

Early life His time as a child was split between his mother, Gayle, in Knowle, Bristol and his father Simon in Bath. He started playing with Bath City youth teams when he was seven and was briefly playing with Bristol Rovers before he was scouted by Bristol City. He attended Wellsway School.

Career Bristol City Palmer-Houlden started playing for Bristol City age group teams at eight years-old. He signed a professional contract with the club in May 2022.

He spent some time on loan with Chippenham Town at the start of the 2022–23 season. In September 2022, his contract with Bristol City was extended into 2024. He spent time during 2023 on loan at Yeovil Town.

In July 2023, Palmer-Holden was included in the Bristol City first-team squad on a pre-season training camp in Austria. His contract with the club was extended by twelve months.

In July 2023 Palmer-Houlden joined Newport County of EFL League Two on a season-long loan. He made his league debut on 5 August 2023 in the starting line-up for Newport against Accrington Stanley. Palmer-Houlden scored his first goal for Newport on 8 August 2023 in the 3–1 EFL Cup First Round win against Charlton Athletic. In early September 2023 he was ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury. In February 2024, having scored seven goals in 28 appearances in all competitions for Newport, he signed a new contract with Bristol City keeping him at the club until 2027. In April 2024 Palmer-Houlden was selected as Newport County Young Player of the Year.

Dundee (loan) On 21 June 2024, Palmer-Houlden joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a season-long loan deal. Palmer-Houlden made his competitive debut for the "Dark Blues" on 16 July, coming on as a substitute in an away win over Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup. He opened his scoring account the following week with a goal over Annan Athletic. Four days later, Palmer-Houlden followed that first goal up with a brace in a 6–0 defeat of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Palmer-Houlden scored his first league goal for the Dee in their league opener in the Dundee derby against local rivals Dundee United. After suffering a knee injury away to Ross County in February 2025 which was initially feared to be significant, Palmer-Houlden returned to the pitch on 5 April as a substitute in a home win over St Mirren. After helping the "Dee" avoid relegation, Palmer-Houlden returned to Bristol City at the end of the season.

Gillingham On 23 May 2025, Palmer-Houlden agreed to join League Two side Gillingham on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, joining on 1 June when the transfer window opened. After struggling with injury issues to start the season, Palmer-Houlden made his first appearance for the side off the bench on 20 September in an away league win over former club Newport County.

Motherwell On 19 August 2026, Scottish Premiership club Motherwell announced the signing of Palmer-Houlden from Gillingham for an undisclosed fee; the player signed a two-year contract with the option of an additional year. He made his debut for the Steelmen the next day as a substitute at home in a UEFA Conference League qualifying leg against German side SC Freiburg. On 2 September, Palmer-Houlden scored his first Motherwell goal in a home league win over Dundee United.

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