---
title: "Sunderland: Josh Bunting thrilled by Daniel Ballard news"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/daniel-ballard-transfer-news-championship/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2022-07-02T11:40:51Z"
modified: "2022-07-02T11:40:51Z"
---

# Sunderland: Josh Bunting thrilled by Daniel Ballard news

**Journalist and [Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/) supporter Josh Bunting has been left thrilled by the signing of Daniel Ballard.**

### The Lowdown: Ballard signs

As confirmed by the official [website](https://safc.com/news/team-news/2022/june/sunderland-afc-sign-daniel-ballard?_gl=1*6jrc35*_ga*MTk1OTIyMTk4Ni4xNjMzNDQ0Mzk2*_ga_T81QCG9DQL*MTY1NjYwMjk1NC45OC4xLjE2NTY2MDQ5OTEuNjA.*_ga_QD4TLL96E9*MTY1NjYwMjk1NC45OC4xLjE2NTY2MDQ5OTIuNTk.) of the Stadium of Light outfit, Ballard has signed a three-year deal with the option of a further year, and arrives from Arsenal for an undisclosed transfer fee.

Manager Alex Neil stated upon making the signing that he wanted to add ‘competition’ in the centre-back area after Arby Xhemajli left the Wearside club, and Ballard will certainly provide that.

### The Latest: Bunting thrilled

Taking to Twitter, [Bunting](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/1542555952980934658) was left thrilled by the transfer news, claiming that he was ‘absolutely buzzing’ with Ballard’s signing:

*“Absolutely buzzing with the Daniel Ballard addition, developing into a top young centre-back. Reads the game very well, in the air that’s his main strength absolutely outstanding in those battles. He’s mobile and can carry a lot of ground. Certainly makes that area much stronger.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398290″\]

### The Verdict: Exciting

Bunting’s analysis of what Ballard will bring to the team is certainly exciting for the Black Cats supporters.

\[freshpress-poll id=”401255″\]

On loan at Millwall last season, the Northern Ireland international was their fourth-best performer in the Championship, and ranked highly among his teammates in terms of aerial duels won and average tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks per match ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/192/Show/England-Millwall)).

His added experience in the second tier will certainly help, and having [never](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-ballard/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/503686) made a senior appearance for the Gunners in his time there, the 22-year-old will certainly have a point to prove as he looks to eventually take SAFC back up to the Premier League.