IN celebration of the EFL’s Youth Development Week, we will be taking a look at some of the Academy graduates that have made an impact within the first team. First up is midfielder Matty Palmer.
Palmer was one of our first Academy graduates to break through into the first team, and he went on to make quite the impression!
Having made his first team debut in November 2012, Palmer made himself a regular in the side throughout the 2013-14 season, making 48 appearances in all competitions and scoring his first goal for the club.
He continued his run as a permanent fixture in the Brewers side the following season, making 33 League Two appearances. It was during this campaign that Palmer increased his contribution for the side, scoring four goals and assisting six as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side romped to the League Two title.
After making the step up to League One, Palmer saw his game time diminish. He did not feature in a league game between November and January, leaving on-loan to join Oldham Athletic. The Academy graduate returned from his stay with the Latics to play a key role in the club’s historic promotion to the Championship, starting the final five games for Nigel Clough’s side
In our first season in the Championship, Palmer played 36 league games, scored once and assisted twice as the Brewers secured an unprecedented survival in the second-tier of English Football.
He played 11 league games and scored once in our second season in the Championship before departing for Rotherham last January. Palmer left the Brewers after making 159 appearances for the club, scoring eight times.
Palmer secured promotion back to the Championship with Rotherham lasts season, and he remains a Millers player at present.