The Steelmen are closing in on their first new signing

Crystal Palace defender Kofi Balmer is set to become Motherwell’s first new signing of the summer after the clubs agreed a fee.

The Northern Ireland U21 cap, who was also a target for Premiership rivals St Mirren, is still in talks with Fir Park chiefs over the terms of a long term contract after the Steelmen fought off competition from AFC Wimbledon, where he spent a spell on loan last season.

But Daily Record understand the 23-year-old will undergo a medical at Fir Park on Thursday before completing his move north.

Balmer’s deal comes after the Steelmen agreed a deal to keep Sam Nicholson at the club following a successful loan spell at the end of last season. The former Hearts man signed a permanent two-year deal at Fir Park, while defender Stephen O’Donnell also penned a two-year deal to extend his stay in ML1.