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Daniel Ballard

Daniel George Ballard (born 22 September 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for EFL Championship side Sunderland. Born in England, he represents Northern Ireland at international level.

Club career

Arsenal

Born in Stevenage,[4] Ballard joined the Arsenal Academy at the age of eight. He signed his first professional contract in June 2018.[5]

Loan to Swindon Town

Ballard moved on loan from Arsenal to Swindon Town in July 2019.[6] He made his debut in a 2–0 win against Scunthorpe United in the League Two on 3 August 2019, coming off the bench in the 88th minute.[7][8] He then scored his first career goal in an EFL Trophy tie against Chelsea U21s on 6 August 2019.[9] But his loan spell was cut short after just three appearances due to a severe knee injury that required 5 months of recovery time.[10]

Loan to Blackpool

In October 2020, he moved on loan to Blackpool, signing with the club until January 2021.[11][12] Ballard made his debut in a 1–0 loss against Charlton in League One on 20 October.[13] On 5 January 2021, it was announced that the loan had been extended to the end of the season.[14] He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Crewe Alexandra on 2 March 2021.[15]

Loan to Millwall

He moved on loan to Millwall on 1 July 2021.[16] He scored his first goal for the club when he scored against West Bromwich Albion on 11 September 2021 in a 1–1 draw.[17]

Sunderland

On 30 June 2022, Ballard joined newly promoted Championship club Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[18][19] On 16 September 2023, Ballard scored his first goal for Sunderland in a 3–1 win against QPR.[20]

He signed a new deal in July 2024 to extend his time on Wearside until 2028.[21]

International career

Born in England, Ballard qualifies to represent Northern Ireland as his mother was born there.[4]

He has represented Northern Ireland at Under-18 and Under-21 levels.[4][22] He was called up to the senior team for the first time in March 2019.[4][23] He made his senior debut in a 1–1 draw against Romania in a Nations League game in September 2020.[24][25]

In September 2023, Ballard was injured and ruled out of Euros qualifying matches.[26]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 4 May 2024
  1. ^ Appearance in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs

International

As of match played 11 June 2024[24]
Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ballard goal.[24]

References

  1. ^ "2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b Daniel Ballard at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  3. ^ Daniel Ballard at WorldFootball.net
  4. ^ a b c d Gareth Hanna (12 March 2019). "Who is Daniel Ballard? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal defender called up to Northern Ireland's senior squad". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Daniel Ballard signs new professional contract". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Daniel Ballard: Arsenal loan defender to Swindon Town for the season". BBC Sport. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Scunthorpe United 0–2 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk – Dan BALLARD – Player Profile". www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Flashes of excellence, but Swindon Town lose to Chelsea U21s in EFL Trophy opener at the County Ground". swindonadvertiser.co.uk. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  10. ^ "Daniel Ballard close to comeback after injury cut loan short". OneFootball. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Seasiders Sign Ballard On Loan". www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Arsenal's Ballard joins Blackpool on loan". BBC Sport.
  13. ^ "Report: Blackpool 0 Charlton Athletic 1". www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Dan Ballard: Blackpool extend loan for Arsenal's Northern Ireland defender". BBC Sport. 5 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Report: Blackpool 1 Crewe Alexandra 1". www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Millwall sign Arsenal's Ballard on loan". BBC Sport.
  17. ^ "West Brom 1-1 Millwall". BBC. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  18. ^ "SAFC sign Daniel Ballard". safc.com. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  19. ^ "Sunderland sign Arsenal defender Ballard". BBC Sport.
  20. ^ a b "Games played by Daniel Ballard in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Dan Ballard Signs New Contract". www.safc.com. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Arsenal's Daniel Ballard delivers last gasp win to keep Northern Ireland U21s' Euro hopes alive". Belfast Telegraph. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  23. ^ "Northern Ireland squad in full: Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard earns first senior call-up". Belfast Telegraph. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  24. ^ a b c "Daniel Ballard". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Ballard and Gretarsson join Blackpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Ballard is latest Northern Ireland injury concern" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  27. ^ a b "Games played by Daniel Ballard in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Games played by Daniel Ballard in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Daniel Ballard in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Games played by Daniel Ballard in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 December 2022.