SA Defender Hails Early Move To Europe
Amajita defender Matthew Palmer is playing his football in Croatia. Image: Gallo Images
It’s often said that moving to Europe at a young age is beneficial and national under-20 defender Matthew Palmer can attest to this.
Just seven months into life in Croatia, where he plays for NK Slaven Belupo, Palmer has seen what moving to Europe at an early age can do for youngsters and he can’t wait to keep on growing in a space where many other doors could open for him.
Palmer, a left-sided centre back, secured a move to Croatia from Ubuntu Football early in 2026, and spent some time on loan to NK Radnik Križevci before returning to Belupo for the 2026/27 campaign.
“Moving to Europe at an early age, you obviously develop and club will see your talents, so it gives you more of an opportunity to to move to bigger clubs. Moving at an early age helps you to develop well because obviously it’s a new setting and a new environment. You develop from a young age and you get used to the way they play because it’s a different style of play. You develop well, physically and mentally,” Palmer told media while in camp with the national under-20 team on Monday.
“Living life in Europe is not easy. You are far away from your parents and stuff. It takes a while to adapt, but as time goes on, things get easier and you get into things. After I adapted, it’s been good.”
Palmer will have an opportunity to shine in national colours when Amajita participate in the Cosafa Championship in Mozambique, starting this Friday. Amajita are in Group B with Lesotho, Angola and Eswatini. Getting to the final of the competition would book the team a spot at the 2027 U/20 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Being with the under-20s is a privilege. I give thanks to God for this opportunity, to showcase my talent and put myself out there, so that everyone can see me. It (Cosafa Championship) is very important because we have to put our all in it, so that we can win the tournament and go to AFCON again and represent our country well,” Palmer said.
Amajita’s opening game at the Cosafa Championship will be against Lesotho on Saturday.
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