Contract signed: Sunderland land Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard on four-year deal – Sources
Daniel Ballard has completed his permanent move from Arsenal to Sunderlan and all that is missing is official confirmation, Football Insider understands.
The defender completed a medical with the Black Cats on Wednesday (29 June) and has now put the finishing touches on his move.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that the 22-year-old has signed a four-year deal with Sunderland.
He was a target for Burnley earlier this month (23 June) after they had a £2million bid accepted by Arsenal but they were unable to agree personal terms.
The Northern Ireland international spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Millwall and they were keen on taking him back to the New Den.
It is also understood that Blackburn Rovers were interested in a deal.
Instead, it is Sunderland who have won the race for his signature as they look to bolster the squad that won promotion from League One via the play-offs.
Alex Neil has not added any new faces this summer but Leon Dajaku has converted his loan switch into a permanent move.
He was handed a boost in defence on Wednesday (29 June) when Bailey Wright signed a new two-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
Wright has vast Championship experience with Preston North End and Bristol City and Ballard also has experience in the second-tier.
He started 30 Championship games on loan at Millwall last season and spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Blackpool as they won promotion from League One via the play-offs.
The 10-time international had a year left to run on his Arsenal deal before he made the switch to Sunderland.
In other news, a finance guru has lambasted Arsenal for taking the “biggest cheque” amid a criminal investigation.