Chelsea's 'Cold Palmer' Transforms Into Global Icon Following Trademark Victory
Cole Palmer has officially secured trademark protection for his moniker 'Cold Palmer'—with his request being approved by the UK's Intellectual Property Office.
The 23-year-old stands among football's elite attacking midfielders after his remarkable ascent at Chelsea, while simultaneously cementing his status as a cultural phenomenon through an iconic celebration that became viral during an exceptional period of performance.
Palmer's trademark registration, which remains valid through 2034, ensures that no other athlete may utilize this particular term for commercial ventures without his consent. He can now develop a diverse product line, according to The Athletic, spanning from toys and snack foods to drones and bath products—quite an extensive range.
The next step will likely involve trademarking his signature 'ice-cold' celebration, featuring crossed arms rubbed together while mimicking a shivering motion—this procedure is currently in progress.
Three years prior, Palmer remained completely unknown to the public eye, yet now ranks among the sport's most discussed personalities.
The Genesis of Cold Palmer
Two individuals were instrumental in creating the 'Cold Palmer' phenomenon: Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Arsenal's Noni Madueke.
On December 30, 2023, Palmer netted twice during Chelsea's match at Luton Town, with his second strike potentially being the finest goal of his career thus far. Following both scores, Palmer unveiled his now-famous celebration.
The Blues secured victory over Luton, and post-match, Madueke, who was Palmer's Chelsea teammate at the time, joined him for an interview. When Palmer was questioned about his spectacular second goal and provided a brief explanation, Madueke delivered the perfect comment that made history.
"That's why they call him Cold Palmer innit," Madueke declared to TNT Sports.
Madueke's remark led the interviewer to reference Palmer's shivering gesture, and the then 21-year-old acknowledged his former Manchester City academy colleague Rogers as his inspiration.
"My boy did one of Middlesbrough, Morgs [Rogers]. So, yeah, I told him I'll do it," Palmer explained.
Rogers had introduced the celebration one week earlier when he scored the decisive goal for Middlesbrough against West Bromwich Albion during his Championship stint. Though now at Aston Villa and still using the celebration, it has undeniably become Palmer's signature move.
Palmer found the net 27 times for Chelsea across all tournaments in 2023–24. That summer, he scored England's leveling goal against Spain in the Euro 2024 final, showcasing his celebration on football's biggest international platform.
An additional 18 goals with the Blues in 2024–25, including a double against Champions League victors Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, has further elevated 'Cold Palmer' among the world's most recognizable football stars.
Cole Palmer's Cultural Influence
Palmer's on-field excellence over recent years has transformed him into a star, while his personality and distinctive presence have elevated him to global icon status.
His footballing ability is complemented by innate charisma. Though far from being outgoing, Palmer remains genuinely himself—relaxed and authentic. In essence, 'Cold Palmer' embodies 'coolness'.
Palmer has emerged as an inspiration for young football enthusiasts worldwide. Following his Club World Cup triumph, Palmer visited St. Kitts and Nevis, his grandfather's birthplace. His global reach was evident there, as he met with the nation's Prime Minister while children gathered in large numbers to be close to their idol.
Palmer's impact has extended beyond football boundaries. After Palmer mentioned that his rapper name would be 'Iceman', international superstar Drake recognized Palmer by sharing that video on social media. Drake subsequently released an album called Iceman.
'Cold Palmer' has evolved into a cultural sensation with numerous athletes embracing the trend.
Athletes Who Have Adopted Palmer's Celebration
PSG's Désiré Doué converted the decisive penalty in the shootout victory over Liverpool during the 2024–25 Champions League round of 16. The young French player performed Palmer's celebration following his successful penalty at Anfield.
Several other footballers, including Palmer's Chelsea colleague Estêvão, have copied his celebration. However, it's not exclusively football players who have adopted the 'ice-cold' gesture—it spans athletes across various sports globally.
It should be noted that in American sports, NBA star Trae Young had introduced this iconic celebration well before Palmer ever performed it. Nevertheless, the celebration has gained prominence since Palmer's rise, with increasing numbers of athletes replicating it.
NFL standout receiver Justin Jefferson, who made the 'Griddy' dance famous after touchdown celebrations, merged Palmer's gesture with his own in a cross-league collaboration highlighting two emerging stars.
A year ago, former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres executed the shivering celebration on baseball's grandest stage: the World Series.
Palmer's celebration has even reached professional darts. St. Kitts and Nevis native Rashad Sweeting performed the celebration after achieving his first 180 score at the 2024 PDC World Championship.
The 'ice-cold' gesture has become one of the world's most recognized celebrations, yet no athlete is more synonymous with it than 'Cold Palmer'.