Introduction
Matthew Thomas Palmer (born 27 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League One club Swindon Town.
Career
Burton Albion
Palmer was born in Derby, Derbyshire. He joined Burton Albion's youth academy after being released by Derby County. He secured the award for most improved young player at the end of his first season as a scholar at the club. He made his debut on 15 November 2012 as an 89th-minute substitute in the FA Cup, in a 2–0 away win over Altrincham. He made his League Two debut on 5 April 2013, coming on 79 minutes into a 7–1 away defeat to Port Vale. Palmer's first goal came on 10 November 2013 in a 2–0 home win over Hereford United in the first round of the FA Cup. He came on as a 78th-minute substitute on 26 May in the 2014 League Two play-off Final, in which Burton were beaten 1–0 by Fleetwood Town at Wembley Stadium.
Palmer joined League One club Oldham Athletic on 22 January 2016 on a one-month loan.
Rotherham United
Palmer signed for League One club Rotherham United on 25 January 2018 on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
He joined newly relegated League Two club Bradford City on 5 July 2019 on a season-long loan.
Swindon Town
Palmer signed for club Swindon Town on 31 January 2020 on an 18-month deal after his contract was terminated at Rotherham United.
Career statistics
- As of 18 January 2020
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Burton Albion | 2012–13 | League Two | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | League Two | 40 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 1 | |
| 2014–15 | League Two | 33 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 4 | |
| 2015–16 | League One | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2016–17 | Championship | 36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 39 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18 | Championship | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 14 | 1 | ||
| Total | 136 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 159 | 8 | ||
| Oldham Athletic (loan) | 2015–16 | League One | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | |||
| Rotherham United | 2017–18 | League One | 14 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | Championship | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| Total | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 0 | ||
| Bradford City (loan) | 2019–20 | League Two | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Career total | 192 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 220 | 9 | ||
Honours
Burton Albion
- Football League Two: 2014–15
- Football League One runner-up: 2015–16
Rotherham United
- EFL League One play-offs: 2018
Swindon Town
- EFL League Two: 2019–20