COLE Palmer met his favourite artist to celebrate his freedom from jail after judges decided he should not face a retrial for murder.
The England and Chelsea ace has previously shared footage on social media of himself singing along to tracks by his idol – Jamaican musician Vybz Kartel.
GettyVybz Kartel, named Adidja Palmer, was put behind bars in 2014 but his conviction was overturned[/caption]
instagram/colepalmer10Rapper Vybz Kartel (left) and footy star Cole Palmer (right) met up to celebrate the musician’s release from prison[/caption]
The duo finally met for a night out in London on Thursday when Cole – proud of his own Caribbean roots – met his hero.
He wrote online: “Respect! The link up finally happened.”
Also at the star-studded gathering – a celebration of Vybz’s release from prison last summer – at the Sachi Japanese restaurant in Belgravia were hip hop duo Krept and Konan.
Musician Vybz, real name Adidja Palmer, was jailed in 2014 but his conviction was overturned by UK judges last year.
He had been accused of killing Clive “Lizard” Williams in Jamaica – but always maintained his innocence.
Vybz’s trial in 2014 heard that victim Clive Williams and another man, Lamar Chow, were given two unlicensed firearms belonging to Kartel for safekeeping.
When they failed to return them at an agreed time, prosecutors said they were summoned to Kartel’s house in August 2011.
Chow told the trial they were attacked and the last thing he saw was Clive Williams – who was never seen alive again – lying motionless on the ground.
The house burned down days later and his body has never been found.
Vybz is known as one of Jamaica’s most popular artists and has collaborated with performers such as Jay-Z, Eminem and Rihanna.
His best-known hits include Clarks, Ramping Shop and Summer Time, and his success led to him launching lines of shoes, alcohol and condoms.
The singer also became the first dancehall artist to star in his own reality TV show, Teacha’s Pet.
Former Manchester City wonder Cole’s grandfather emigrated to the UK from the Caribbean island of St Kitts in the 1960s.
His dad previously revealed how popular his son is on the Caribbean island.
Cole pays tribute to his roots via his football boots.
He said in an interview: “…my dad’s family is from St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean.
“He hates going out in the cold. But he’d do it for me anyway.
“That’s why I got the St Kitts flag on my boots, as a little tribute to him and his family.”
Vybz’s son showed the family’s love for Cole by recording a video of his own last year – dubbed M.O.T.M (Man of the Match) – which featured tributes to the footie ace.
Cole, 22, was due to star for Chelsea in their crunch Prem clash against Aston Villa last night/tonight(Sat).
GettyThe rapper is one of the biggest names to come out of the Jamaican music industry[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
