{{short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 1999)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Use British English|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Daniel Ballard |image = Daniel Ballard.jpg |upright = |caption = Ballard playing for Northern Ireland in 2021 |full_name = Daniel George Ballard<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1335777 |title=2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=3 September 2019 |accessdate=5 September 2019}}</ref> |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|9|22|df=y}}<ref name="SW">{{soccerway|daniel-george-ballard/453084|accessdate=3 July 2019}}</ref> |birth_place = Stevenage, England |height = {{convert|1.87|m|order=flip}}<ref name="SW"/> |position = Centre-back<ref>{{WorldFootball.net|daniel-ballard|Daniel Ballard}}</ref> |currentclub = Sunderland |clubnumber = 5 |youthyears1 = 2007–2019 |youthclubs1 = Arsenal |years1 = 2019–2022 |clubs1 = Arsenal |caps1 = 0 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2019 |clubs2 = → Swindon Town (loan) |caps2 = 1 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2020–2021 |clubs3 = → Blackpool (loan) |caps3 = 25 |goals3 = 2 |years4 = 2021–2022 |clubs4 = → Millwall (loan) |caps4 = 31 |goals4 = 1 |years5 = 2022– |clubs5 = Sunderland |caps5 = 110 |goals5 = 7 |nationalyears1 = |nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U18 |nationalcaps1 = |nationalgoals1 = |nationalyears2 = 2018 |nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U21 |nationalcaps2 = 4 |nationalgoals2 = 1 |nationalyears3 = 2020– |nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland |nationalcaps3 = 33 |nationalgoals3 = 5 |club-update = 16:47, 2 May 2026 (UTC) |nationalteam-update = 23:06, 14 November 2025 (UTC) }} '''Daniel George Ballard''' (born 22 September 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{English football updater|Sunderld}} club Sunderland. Born in England, he plays for the Northern Ireland national team.
==Club career== === Arsenal === Born in Stevenage,<ref name="BT" /> Ballard joined the Arsenal Academy at the age of eight. He signed his first professional contract in June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Daniel Ballard signs new professional contract|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/daniel-ballard-signs-new-professional-contract|access-date=24 March 2021|website=www.arsenal.com|language=en}}</ref> Having been released on two occasions, Arsenal offered him scholarship terms when he was 16 following an appearance in a friendly match, away at Bayern Munich.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan Ballard on Sunderland’s flying start, what he owes Ar...|url=https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/dan-ballard-on-sunderlands-flying-start-what-he-owes-arsenal-and-his-degree-in-trading|access-date=29 October 2025|website=The Observer|language=en}}</ref>
==== Loan to Swindon Town ==== Ballard moved on loan from Arsenal to Swindon Town in July 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48852701|title=Daniel Ballard: Arsenal loan defender to Swindon Town for the season|date=3 July 2019|accessdate=3 July 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Scunthorpe United 0–2 Swindon Town|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49135938|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk – Dan BALLARD – Player Profile|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=BALLARDD|access-date=24 March 2021|website=www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk}}</ref> He then scored his first career goal in an EFL Trophy tie against Chelsea U21s on 6 August 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17820017.flashes-excellence-swindon-town-lose-chelsea-u21s-leasing-com-trophy-opener-county-ground|title=Flashes of excellence, but Swindon Town lose to Chelsea U21s in EFL Trophy opener at the County Ground|date=6 August 2019 |website=swindonadvertiser.co.uk|accessdate=12 September 2019}}</ref> But his loan spell was cut short after just three appearances due to a severe knee injury that required 5 months of recovery time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Daniel Ballard close to comeback after injury cut loan short|url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/daniel-ballard-close-to-comeback-after-injury-cut-loan-short-29242837|access-date=24 March 2021|website=OneFootball|language=en}}</ref>
==== Loan to Blackpool ==== In October 2020, he moved on loan to Blackpool, signing with the club until January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seasiders Sign Ballard On Loan|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/seasiders-sign-ballard-on-loan/|access-date=24 March 2021|website=www.blackpoolfc.co.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54423607|title=Arsenal's Ballard joins Blackpool on loan|work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Ballard made his debut in a 1–0 loss against Charlton in League One on 20 October.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Report: Blackpool 0 Charlton Athletic 1|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/report-blackpool-0-charlton-athletic-1|access-date=24 March 2021|website=www.blackpoolfc.co.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref> On 5 January 2021, it was announced that the loan had been extended to the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55548703 |title=Dan Ballard: Blackpool extend loan for Arsenal's Northern Ireland defender|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 January 2021}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Crewe Alexandra on 2 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Report: Blackpool 1 Crewe Alexandra 1|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/report-blackpool-1-crewe-alexandra-1|access-date=24 March 2021|website=www.blackpoolfc.co.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref>
====Loan to Millwall==== He moved on loan to Millwall on 1 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57682461|title=Millwall sign Arsenal's Ballard on loan|work=BBC Sport }}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club when he scored against West Bromwich Albion on 11 September 2021 in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58444596|title=West Brom 1–1 Millwall|publisher=BBC|date=11 September 2021|access-date=13 September 2021}}</ref>
===Sunderland=== On 30 June 2022, Ballard joined newly promoted Championship club Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/june/sunderland-afc-sign-daniel-ballard|title=SAFC sign Daniel Ballard|website=safc.com|date=30 June 2022|accessdate=30 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62002758|title=Sunderland sign Arsenal defender Ballard|work=BBC Sport }}</ref> On 16 September 2023, Ballard scored his first goal for Sunderland in a 3–1 win against QPR.<ref name = "2023-24"/>
He signed a new deal in July 2024 to extend his time on Wearside until 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dan Ballard Signs New Contract|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2024/july/23/dan-ballard-signs-new-contract|access-date=23 July 2024|website=www.safc.com}}</ref>
On 13 May 2025, Ballard scored the winning goal (on aggregate) in extra time in the second leg of the 2024–25 EFL Championship play-off matchup with Coventry City, setting up a final match with Sheffield United.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunderland 1–1 Coventry City AET (Agg 3–2) – Dan Ballard goal takes Black Cats to Wembley|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c4gedpgd5dkt|access-date=24 May 2025|website=BBC Sport|language=en-GB}}</ref> On 24 May 2025, Sunderland defeated Sheffield United 2–1 in the play-off final to earn promotion to the Premier League.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 May 2025|title=Sunderland stun Sheffield United in playoff to return to Premier League|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/sunderland-beat-sheffield-united-return-premier-league-2025-05-24|access-date=24 May 2025|work=Reuters|language=en}}</ref>
Ballard scored on his Premier League debut, the second goal in a 3–0 win over West Ham United on the opening matchday.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Louise |date=16 August 2025 |title=Mayenda sparks stunning Sunderland start to increase Potter’s West Ham pain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/16/sunderland-west-ham-premier-league-match-report |access-date=16 August 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
==International career== Born in England, Ballard qualifies to represent Northern Ireland as his mother was born there.<ref name = "BT"/>
He has represented Northern Ireland at Under-18 and Under-21 levels.<ref name = "BT"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/arsenals-daniel-ballard-delivers-last-gasp-win-to-keep-northern-ireland-u21s-euro-hopes-alive-37410234.html|title=Arsenal's Daniel Ballard delivers last gasp win to keep Northern Ireland U21s' Euro hopes alive|date=11 October 2018|accessdate=3 July 2019|publisher=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> He was called up to the senior team for the first time in March 2019.<ref name = "BT">{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal/who-is-daniel-ballard-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-arsenal-defender-called-up-to-northern-irelands-senior-squad-37904723.html|title=Who is Daniel Ballard? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal defender called up to Northern Ireland's senior squad|date=12 March 2019|accessdate=3 July 2019|author=Gareth Hanna|publisher=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/northern-ireland-squad-in-full-arsenal-defender-daniel-ballard-earns-first-senior-callup-37904568.html|title=Northern Ireland squad in full: Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard earns first senior call-up|date=12 March 2019|accessdate=3 July 2019|publisher=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> He made his senior debut in a 1–1 draw against Romania in a Nations League game in September 2020.<ref name = "NFT">{{NFT player|id=79228|accessdate=19 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Ballard and Gretarsson join Blackpool|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54423607|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref>
In September 2023, Ballard was injured and ruled out of Euros qualifying matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66699018|title=Ballard is latest Northern Ireland injury concern|via=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In October 2024, he missed Nations League games due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8el5en1z8po|title=Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell and Ballard ruled out of Nations League games|date=7 October 2024|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> In August 2025 it was announced that he would miss the following month's World Cup qualifiers due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/czxyqv4zvn7o|title=Northern Ireland: Defender Daniel Ballard out for 'two to three weeks' and set to miss World Cup qualifiers|date=27 August 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 2 May 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=4|Arsenal |2019–20<ref name = "2019-20">{{soccerbase season|116942|2019|accessdate=22 October 2020}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2020–21<ref name = "2020-21">{{soccerbase season|116942|2020|accessdate=22 October 2020}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2021–22<ref name = "2021-22">{{soccerbase season|116942|2021|accessdate=1 July 2021}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Swindon Town (loan) |2019–20<ref name = "2019-20"/> |League Two |1||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|Appearance in EFL Trophy|name=EFLT}}||1||3||1 |- |Blackpool (loan) |2020–21<ref name = "2020-21"/> |League One |25||2||2||0||0||0||3{{Efn|Appearances in League One play-offs}}||0||30||2 |- |Millwall (loan) |2021–22<ref name = "2021-22"/> |Championship |31||1||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||33||1 |- |rowspan="5"|Sunderland |2022–23<ref name = "2022-23">{{soccerbase season|116942|2022|accessdate=11 December 2022}}</ref> |Championship |19||0||3||0||0||0||0{{efn|name=PO|Appearances in EFL Championship play-offs}}||0||22||0 |- |2023–24<ref name = "2023-24">{{soccerbase season|116942|2023|accessdate=8 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |42||3||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||43||3 |- |2024–25<ref>{{soccerbase season|116942|2024|accessdate=24 May 2025}}</ref> |Championship |20||2||0||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=PO}}||1||23||3 |- |2025–26<ref>{{soccerbase season|116942|2025|accessdate=11 November 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |29||2||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||31||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !110!!7!!6!!0!!0!!0!!3!!1!!119!!8 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !167!!10!!8!!0!!3!!0!!7!!2!!185!!12 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 14 November 2025}}<ref name = "NFT"/> {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=7|Northern Ireland |2020||5||0 |- |2021||7||1 |- |2022||4||1 |- |2023||5||0 |- |2024||7||3 |- |2025||5||0 |- !colspan="1"|Total||33||5 |}
:''Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ballard goal.''<ref name="NFT" />
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Daniel Ballard |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || 2 September 2021 || LFF Stadium, Vilnius, Lithuania || {{fb|LIT}} || align="center"|9 || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–1 || 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|2 || 9 June 2022 || Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo || {{fb|KOS}} || align="center"|15 || align="center"|2–3 || align="center"|2–3 || 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C |- | align="center"|3 || 8 June 2024 || Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, Palma de Mallorca, Spain || {{fb|ESP}} || align="center"|23 || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–5 || Friendly |- | align="center"|4 || 5 September 2024 || Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland || {{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|25 || align="center"|2–0 ||align="center"|2–0 || 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C |- | align="center"|5 || 15 November 2024 || Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland || {{fb|BLR}} || align="center"|27 || align="center"|1–0 ||align="center"|2–0 || 2024-25 UEFA Nations League C |}
==Honours== '''Blackpool''' *EFL League One play-offs: 2021<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/blackpool-vs-lincoln-city/teams/444383 |title=Starting Lineups – Blackpool vs Lincoln 30.05.2021 |website=Sky Sports |date=30 May 2021 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
'''Sunderland''' *EFL Championship play-offs: 2025<ref>{{cite news |date=24 May 2025 |title=Sheffield United 1–2 Sunderland: Line-ups |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62vgp6z7q3t#Line-ups |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Sunderland A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballard, Daniel}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Stevenage Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Arsenal F.C. players Category:Swindon Town F.C. players Category:Blackpool F.C. players Category:Millwall F.C. players Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers Category:English people of Northern Ireland descent Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:Premier League players