We are delighted to announce that Kofi Balmer has become Larne’s third signing of the summer transfer window.
The highly-rated 20-year-old defender arrives at Inver Park, following the expiry of his contract at Ballymena United.
Despite not turning 21 until September, Balmer join’s the Invermen having racked up more than 100 senior appearances, after breaking through at the Showgrounds at the age of just 16.
His continued progress at Ballymena also saw him named as the Ulster Young Footballer of the Year in 2019.
As well as impressing at domestic level, the Mossley man has captained Northern Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level, most recently in their encounters against Scotland two weeks ago.
He joins new recruits Rohan Ferguson and Mike Argyrides, in being added to Tiernan Lynch’s squad ahead of the club’s debut in European football next month.
The player is delighted to make the move into full-time football at Inver Park.
He said: “The chance to be full-time in your own country is something you can’t say no to.
“Speaking to Tiernan you realise that everything that happens here is top quality. In terms of how the team train, work in the gym and look after their diet.
“Hearing that gives you a lot of confidence coming here. My ultimate ambition is to be able to play full-time across the water and it’s a massive to be part of what’s going on here as I look to kick-on.
“I was fortunate to be able to get games under my belt at Ballymena. Although I feel experienced in terms of games played, I know I have plenty to learn and you have players like Albert Watson at the club who has been there and done it and someone who will be good to learn from.
“As a club you want to progress every year as well. Larne have been doing that and hopefully we can continue it on. We’d love to be able to challenge the likes of Linfield, Glentoran and Coleraine to be in and around that title race and we’ll work hard to try to do that.”
Kofi will wear the number 2 shirt at Inver Park.
