Dan Ballard has unexpectedly emerged as a powerful presence in each membership and global football. From his early days at Arsenal’s academy to turning into a protective linchpin for Sunderland and a frontrunner for Northern Ireland, Ballard’s adventure is marked with the aid of resilience, management, and constant performances.
Overview
Full Name: Daniel George Ballard
Date of Birth: 22 September 1999
Place of Birth: Stevenage, England
Height: 1.87 meters (6 feet 2 inches)
Position: Centre-back
Current Club: Sunderland AFC
Club Number: 5
National Team: Northern Ireland
Early Life and Youth Career
Born in Stevenage, England, Ballard started out his football adventure at the age of 8 whilst he joined Arsenal’s esteemed academy in 2007. Over the subsequent 12 years, he honed his capabilities and evolved right into a promising defender, subsequently signing his first expert agreement with Arsenal in June 2018.
Club Career Progression
Arsenal and Loan Spells
Despite his potential, Ballard located first-team possibilities confined at Arsenal, main to numerous mortgage spells to benefit enjoy:
Swindon Town (2019): Ballard’s mortgage to Swindon Town changed into reduced briefly because of an intense knee injury after only 3 appearances.
Blackpool (2020–2021): He made 25 league appearances and scored goals, showcasing his protective prowess and contributing to Blackpool’s promoting push.
Millwall (2021–2022): At Millwall, Ballard endured his development, making 31 league appearances and scoring once, solidifying his recognition as a dependable centre-back.
Sunderland AFC (2022–Present)
In June 2022, Ballard signed a 3-yr cope with Sunderland AFC, marking a sizable step in his profession. His effect changed immediately, turning into a mainstay in the protection and incomes reward for his performances.
In July 2024, Ballard prolonged his agreement with Sunderland till 2028, reflecting the membership’s self belief in his capabilities and his dedication to their project.
International Career with Northern Ireland
Eligible to symbolize Northern Ireland via his mother, Ballard has been an critical a part of the national team setup:
Youth Levels: Represented Northern Ireland at U18 and U21 levels, incomes treasured enjoy.
Senior Debut: Made his senior debut in September 2020 in a UEFA Nations League in shape towards Romania.
Leadership Role: With senior gamers sidelined because of injuries, Ballard has taken on greater responsibility, even captaining the team in a friendly towards Andorra in June 2024.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ballard is understood for his:
Aerial Ability: Standing at 1.87 meters, he’s dominant in aerial duels, each defensively and offensively.
Tackling and Positioning: Exhibits amazing timing in tackles and keeps robust positional awareness.
Leadership: Demonstrates adulthood past his years, frequently organizing the backline and main with the aid of using example.
Composure: Comfortable at the ball, able to begin performing from the back.
Overcoming Adversity
Ballard’s profession has now no longer been without challenges:
Injuries: Suffered a fractured foot early in his Sunderland tenure, sidelining him for an prolonged period.
Resilience: Despite setbacks, he came back stronger, drawing ideas from former Sunderland defender Jordan Willis throughout his rehabilitation.
Recent Developments and Future Outlook
As of 2025, Ballard is still a pivotal discern for each Sunderland and Northern Ireland:
Club Performance: His constant shows were instrumental in Sunderland’s protective solidity.
International Impact: With 28 caps and 5 goals, he stays a key participant for Northern Ireland, contributing each defensively and offensively.
How much does Dan Ballard get paid?
Dan Ballard, the Northern Ireland global and imperative defender for Sunderland AFC, is said to earn approximately £25,000 according to week, amounting to an envisioned £1.3 million annually. This discern is primarily based totally on records from Capology, a good supply for football income information.
However, it is critical to be aware that different sources offer various estimates. For instance, SalarySport lists his weekly salary at £17,000, translating to an annual income of £884,000. These discrepancies may also get up from variations in reporting periods, inclusion of bonuses, or different contractual nuances.
Dan Ballard injury update
As of May 2025, Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has returned to complete health following a sequence of injury setbacks in advance in the 2024–25 season. His resilience and willpower were obvious in his latest performances, considerably scoring a decisive 123rd-minute header that propelled Sunderland into the Championship play-off final.
Injury Timeline and Recovery
Ballard’s injury adventure during the last yr has been marked with the aid of using dedication and perseverance:
July 2024: Suffered a knee injury throughout a pre-season pleasant towards South Shields, mainly to a minor system and an envisioned six-week healing period .
March 2025: Endured any other setback with a hamstring injury, sidelining him for numerous weeks.
Despite those challenges, Ballard’s dedication to rehabilitation and health has been unwavering, culminating in his impactful go back to the pitch.
Current Status
Ballard is now completely incorporated into Sunderland’s protective lineup, bringing balance and enjoyment to the backline. His latest performances have now no longer handiest showcased his protective prowess however additionally his capacity to make a contribution vital goals, as evidenced with the aid of using his in shape-prevailing header in the play-off semi-final.
Final Thoughts
Dan Ballard’s adventure from Arsenal’s kids ranks turning into a cornerstone for Sunderland and Northern Ireland exemplifies willpower and perseverance. His capacity to triumph over adversity, coupled together with his management at the pitch, positions him as a participant with a promising future in football.
FAQs
What role does Dan Ballard play?
Dan Ballard is an imperative defender, acknowledged for his robust tackling, aerial capacity, and management qualities.
Which club has Dan Ballard performed for?
He started out at Arsenal, with mortgage spells at Swindon Town, Blackpool, and Millwall, earlier than signing completely with Sunderland AFC in 2022.
Is Dan Ballard eligible to play for Northern Ireland?
Yes, via his mother, Ballard is eligible and has been representing Northern Ireland seeing that 2020.
Has Ballard confronted any sizable injuries?
Yes, he suffered a fractured foot in 2022, which stored him out for a large period, however he has seen that made a complete healing.
What is Ballard’s agreement with Sunderland?
As of July 2024, Ballard signed an agreement extension with Sunderland, maintaining him on the membership till 2028.
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