AFC Wimbledon complete loan deal for Crystal Palace defender

AFC Wimbledon have signed Crystal Palace defender Kofi Balmer on loan for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan with League One side Port Vale before his spell was brought to an end at the start of the January transfer window.

Balmer, who was named in the Northern Ireland senior squad in 2022 for their games against Kosovo and Greece under Ian Baraclough, already has over 100 appearances at senior level to his name after coming through at Ballymena before moving to Larne.

The Dons have already loaned John-Kymani Gordon from the Eagles this transfer window.

“I can’t wait to get started, meet the lads and hopefully have a good run in,” Balmer told Wimbledon’s website.

“This was an opportunity that was too good to turn down.

“This is a very tightly orientated club. Everyone’s in it together, everyone is going to help you out. If the team was going through a rough time you’d not only have the staff and the players behind you but also the fans. 

“When I came in to speak to the manager the other day I felt wanted.”

Johnnie Jackson said: “Kofi is a young, aggressive defender who likes to play on the front foot. He will really fit into our style and everything that we do here. He also has the advantage of League One experience and was really keen to be a part of what we’re doing. He will play a key role in helping us to kick on in the second half of the season.”

Head of football operations Craig Cope added: “We’re really excited to bring Kofi to the club. He has a wealth of experience at senior level and suits our style. We’d like to thank Crystal Palace for their support in this window.”