GOING DOWN UNDER . . . midfielder Chris Palmer is New Zealand bound after being released by Burton AlbionCHRIS Palmer has been released from his contract at Burton Albion to sign for a New Zealand side.
The 29-year-old former Derby County trainee has been offered a short-term contract by Waitakere United.
Palmer, who has made 49 appearances for the Brewers including 12 this campaign, will now travel to the southern hemisphere to complete the move.
Palmer said: "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.
"I spoke to Dan Robinson, who used to be at Burton, and he put me in touch with their coaches and the manager here has helped it all go through.
"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.’
Brewers boss 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."
