Blackpool have agreed on terms to extend the loan deal of central defender Daniel Ballard from the Arsenal U23 side.
Blackpool Stay for Daniel Ballard
📝 Blackpool Football Club is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with @Arsenal to extend Daniel Ballard’s loan deal until the end of the season.https://t.co/2ifCjsyYya pic.twitter.com/Z5g3AG8Xwx
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) January 5, 2021
Arsenal Defender Extends Stay
The Seasiders have agreed on the extension of Daniel Ballard’s spell at the club through to the end of the season. The 21-year-old centre back has appeared in eight games this season for Neil Critchley’s side.
The Northern Ireland youngster originally signed for the League One club on October 5.
It is his second taste of life in the Football League having played on loan at Swindon Town last season.
He has played in Blackpool’s last three games, which included a draw and two defeats.
Despite his tender age, Ballard is already an international for Northern Ireland. He has featured in five games, all during 2020, and is highly thought within the setup.
Blackpool Reaction
Blackpool describe him as: “A commanding presence in defence, the 21-year-old has featured eight times in tangerine to date, helping the side to keep four clean sheets in the process.”
Upon confirmation of the deal, the defender said: “I’m extremely happy to extend my loan until the end of the season. I’ve enjoyed my time here so far and I want to continue helping the team push up the table.
“I”ve felt comfortable from the first minute I arrived. In my mind, this is the best place for me to be playing my football at the moment.”
Meanwhile, his manager gave his thoughts on the defenders’ extension: “Daniel plays like a leader, with real character and personality on the pitch. He’s been terrific to work with and will continue to improve and get better.
“We thank Arsenal for entrusting us with Daniel’s development and now look forward to having him for the second part of the season.”
Ballard is now eligible to appear in Blackpool’s FA Cup Third Round tie at home against Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion on January 10. It will be a return to Bloomfield Road for Sam Allardyce, who managed Blackpool during the mid-nineties.
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