Cole Palmer

Manchester City

Despite being a Manchester United fan, Palmer joined Manchester City in 2010 at the under-eight level and progressed through the Academy age groups before captaining the under-18s during the 2019–20 season. He had faced concerns from the age of 14 that his physique was too slight for professional football, and academy coaches wanted to release him at 16, but academy director Jason Wilcox rejected their decision. On 30 September 2020, Palmer made his first-team debut for City in a 3–0 away win over Burnley in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. On 21 September 2021, he scored his first goal in a 6–1 home win over League One team Wycombe Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup. On 16 October, Palmer made an appearance in the Premier League against Burnley, and scored a hat-trick for City's under-23 side that same night. On 19 October, Palmer scored as a substitute in a 5–1 away win over Club Brugge in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, marking his first goal in European football. On 7 January 2022, Palmer scored on his FA Cup debut in a 4–1 away win over League Two team Swindon Town.

2022–23 season

Palmer saw increased involvement during the 2022–23 season, though still frequently featuring as a substitute. However, his 14 Premier League appearances contributed to Manchester City's title-winning campaign, claiming the title. On 18 March 2023, he scored the team's fifth goal in a dominant performance against Burnley during the…

Palmer represented the England national under-17 team at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. On 27 August 2021, Palmer received his first call-up for the England under-21s. He scored a goal on his debut in a 2–0 win over Kosovo in 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification. He was later included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, starting in the final as the Young Lions went on to win the tournament. On 13 November 2023, Palmer received his first call-up to the senior England national team ahead of their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Malta and North Macedonia. He made his debut on 17 November, coming on as a 61st-minute substitute in England's 2–0 victory against Malta at Wembley Stadium. In May 2024, Palmer was selected in the 33-man preliminary squad for UEFA Euro 2024. Palmer made his first England start and scored his first senior international goal in a pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 3 June. Three days later, he was named in coach Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad for the tournament. He made his tournament debut as a substitute in England's final Group C match against Slovenia on 25 June. Five days later, he again appeared as a substitute, replacing Kieran Trippier in the 66th minute of England's 2–1 extra time win over Slovakia in the round of 16. Palmer appeared as a 78th-minute substitute, replacing Ezri Konsa in the quarter-final against Switzerland and scored the…

Cole Jermaine Palmer was born on 6 May 2002 in Wythenshawe, Manchester. He and his sister were raised by a dental engineer father and a dyslexia assessor mother. Palmer's father played Sunday league football for nearly two decades, and Palmer regularly watched him. Growing up in Wythenshawe, he started playing football in his local grassroots club NJ Wythenshawe. Palmer attended Gatley Primary School in Stockport, and was later privately educated at St Bede's College in partnership with the Manchester City Academy.

Palmer is of Afro-Kittitian descent on his father's side of the family. His great-grandparents were part of the Windrush generation and migrated to the United Kingdom in 1955, while his grandfather followed in 1960. Palmer wears boots emblazoned with the flags of England and Saint Kitts and Nevis.