Matthew Palmer says early European move is helping his development

South Africa Under-20 defender Matthew Palmer believes moving to Europe at a young age has accelerated his development and created greater opportunities for his future.

The left-sided centre-back joined Croatian club NK Slaven Belupo from Ubuntu Football early in 2026. After a spell on loan at NK Radnik Krizevci, he returned to Belupo for the 2026/27 campaign.

Palmer, who has spent seven months in Croatia, said the experience had shown him the benefits of testing himself abroad while still a young player.

“Moving to Europe at an early age, you obviously develop and the club will see your talents, so it gives you more of an opportunity to move to bigger clubs,” Palmer told media while in camp with the national under-20 team on Monday.

“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.”

The transition has not been without its challenges. Palmer said being separated from his parents and adapting to a different environment had taken time, although he had become increasingly comfortable in his new surroundings.

“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,” he said.

Palmer will now turn his attention to international duty, with Amajita set to compete in the Cosafa Championship in Mozambique from this Friday.

South Africa have been drawn in Group B alongside Lesotho, Angola and Eswatini. Reaching the final would secure Amajita a place at the 2027 U/20 Africa Cup of Nations.

For Palmer, the tournament represents an opportunity to build on his progress in Croatia while contributing to the national team’s ambitions.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Amajita will begin their campaign against Lesotho on Saturday.