# Matt Palmer (footballer)

Matthew Thomas Palmer (born 27 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Notts County.

## 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. He scored his first goal for Swindon in an EFL Trophy tie against Exeter City on 6 October 2020.
Palmer signed for Wigan Athletic on loan until 4 January 2021
On 14 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Swindon at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.

### Notts County

On 21 July 2021, Palmer signed a two-year contract with Notts County F.C.
On 25 December 2022, Palmer extended his contract with Notts County F.C. until the end of the 2024-25 season

## Career statistics

    As of 8 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | 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 |
| Burton Albion | 2013–14 | League Two | 40 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 1 |
| Burton Albion | 2014–15 | League Two | 33 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
| Burton Albion | 2015–16 | League One | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Burton Albion | 2016–17 | Championship | 36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 |
| Burton Albion | 2017–18 | Championship | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 |
| Burton Albion | Total | 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 |
| Rotherham United | 2018–19 | Championship | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 |
| Rotherham United | Total | 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 |
| Swindon Town | 2019–20 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Swindon Town | 2020–21 | League One | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 2 |
| Swindon Town | Total | Total | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 2 |
| Wigan Athletic (loan) | 2020–21 | League One | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Notts County | 2021–22 | National League | 43 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 46 | 2 |
| Notts County | 2022–23 | National League | 46 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 48 | 2 |
| Notts County | 2023–24 | League Two | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Notts County | 2024–25 | League Two | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| Notts County | Total | Total | 136 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 144 | 4 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 363 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 401 | 15 |
* ↑ One appearance in Football League Trophy, two in League Two play-offs
* 1 2 Appearance in Football League Trophy
* ↑ Appearances in League One play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy
* ↑ Appearance(s) in National League Play-Offs
* ↑ Appearance(s) in National League Play-Offs
* ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy

## 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
Notts County
* National League play-offs: 2023
Individual
* Notts County Player of the Year: 2021–22
* National League Team of the Year: 2022–23