Chris Palmer leaves Burton Albion for New Zealand opportunity

Burton Albion midfielder Chris Palmer has been released by the Brewers to take up an initial short-term contract with Waitakere United in New Zealand.

The 29-year-old former Derby County trainee has not been able to hold down a place with Burton this season, his second with the club, and would have been out of contract in the summer.

Waitakere play in the ASB Premier in New Zealand and have qualified for the OFC Champions League.

"Obviously, the lads have been doing really well and I haven’t had too many chances, so I needed to explore options for me and my family," said Palmer.

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The deal has been helped along by Dan Robinson, the former Burton goalkeeper from Derby who has forged a successful playing and coaching career in New Zealand.

"I spoke to Dan Robinson and he put me in touch with their coaches and the manager here has helped it all go through," added Palmer.

"The side has qualified for the OFC Champions League so there’s potentially the opportunity of playing in the FIFA Club World Cup, which would be a great experience.

"I’m looking forward to getting out there and I wish everybody at Burton Albion all the best for the future."

Burton manager Gary Rowett said: "It’s a good opportunity for Chris. He’s out of contract in the summer and I think it was only fair to allow him to explore the move further.

"He’ll be going out there in the next week or so to play in the Oceania Cup that they’ve qualified for and he goes with all our best wishes."