Arsenal youth product sends club determined message as he dazzles at Sunderland

Former Arsenal youngster Dan Ballard has sent a message of thanks back to the club as he enjoys an impressive Championship season with Sunderland.

The 24-year-old centre-back came through the ranks in North London but never made a first team appearance amid loan spells at Swindon Town, Blackpool and Millwall. He eventually signed for the Black Cats on a permanent deal in the summer of 2022 for a reported £2 million.

Ballard suffered multiple injury setbacks in his first season in the North East but has been a regular starter this term for his club and country of Northern Ireland. The defender credits his Arsenal upbringing for making him the player he is today.

He told Sky Sports: “It was amazing growing up there. I think they’ve helped me so much, all the coaches throughout the years. They’ve probably given me the best platform to go and build my football career. I’m forever sort of thankful to the club for that.

"It was a little bit disappointing I never got the opportunity to represent the club as they helped me so much but it was a brilliant upbringing. I was quite fortunate where I got a couple of sessions in when I was quite young before Arsene Wenger left.

"There was a lot of change obviously during that period and a few different managers. They are obviously going really well at the minute with a good manager and I learnt quite a bit from Mikel (Arteta) in my short time training with the first team.”

Ballard had been linked with a Premier League move to West Ham last summer but put pen to paper on a new deal at the Stadium of Light, committing his future to the side until 2027. He added: "Personally I feel in a good spot. I feel really good, I feel in a good spot.

"It’s nice just going into games being able to concentrate on the football and enjoy your football rather than thinking about other things like injuries. I feel like I’m in a spot now where I can really work on my game, go and enjoy my football and being injury-free is brilliant.”