Daniel Ballard has completed a move to Sunderland for a reported £2 million fee.

The 22-year-old centre-back moves to the Stadium of Light on a four-year deal having progressed through the ranks at Hale End and London Colney since joining the club at the age of 8.

While Ballard never got the chance to make his Arsenal debut, he has become a regular for Northern Ireland in the last couple of years off the back of very impressive loan spells in League One and the Championship with Blackpool and Millwall respectively.

This time last week it looked as though Ballard was going to join Vincent Kompany’s Burnley only for a move to fall through at the last minute. He was subsequently approached by a number of clubs, including Sheffield United, but has ultimately opted to join Alex Neil’s newly-promoted Black Cats.

Best of luck to Daniel in his new surroundings.

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