Thu 01 Feb - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 3mins
Derby County added strength to their attacking midfield ranks with the deadline day signing of Kasey Palmer on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has turned plenty of heads over the past couple of years, and he has extensive Sky Bet Championship experience after gaining promotion through the play-offs with Huddersfield Town last season.
dcfc.co.uk took a look back through Palmer’s career so far, as he gets set to bolster the Rams’ promotion push…
Age: 21
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Nationality: English
Previous Clubs: Chelsea, Huddersfield Town (loan)
Although Palmer made his name within the youth set-up of Chelsea, his career actually began at Charlton Athletic, the club that he joined at the age of nine.
He represented England’s Under-17s and Under-18s before departing the Addicks for Stamford Bridge in 2013, and he soon became a key member of the set-up as Chelsea embarked on a period of dominant success at youth level.
Palmer began to catch the eye as early as the 2013/14 season, when he played predominantly in the Blues’ Under-18s side and was managed by former Walsall and Reading defender Adrian Viveash.
The silverware soon began to flow as Chelsea secured the Under-21 Premier League title that year, as well as the FA Youth Cup, and the following season he became a regular in the higher age group.
Another Youth Cup success followed in 2014/15, but it was on the European stage where the vibrant midfielder began to shine.
He was limited to substitute appearances that season but that didn’t stop him from playing a major role, as he played the final 20 minutes of the 3-2 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Youth League.
The following campaign, he was firmly established as a key man alongside the likes of Tammy Abraham, and he scored the winner against Paris Saint Germain in the final as Chelsea’s youngsters lifted the European trophy once again.
Palmer was rewarded for his success in April 2016, when Guus Hiddink named him in the first team matchday squad to face Swansea City.
He was given the chance to prove himself that summer, when Huddersfield Town swooped to sign the exciting youngster on a season-long loan deal.
In 27 appearances, he bagged five goals and made a considerable impression in West Yorkshire as David Wagner’s side made the Premier League for the first time.
He went on to make five appearances in the top flight for the Terriers, before his loan spell was cut short earlier this year.
England’s Under-20s World Cup win caught the attention last summer, but the previous year, another Young Lions side tasted success.
The Under-21s went all the way in the Toulon Tournament, beating hosts France in the final to lift the trophy.
