Daniel Ballard is convinced he has chosen the right club after leaving Arsenal to join Sunderland - with the Black Cats making it clear they see him as a key player as they step up to the Championship. Northern Ireland centre-back Ballard became Sunderland's first new face of the summer when he joined this week on a three-year contract, with the option of an additional 12 months.
The move ended Ballard's long association with Arsenal having become part of the Gunners' academy system at the age of eight, but he says it was obvious that there was no path to the first team for him at the Emirates Stadium. That prompted his departure this summer and, while he initially appeared on the verge of a move to Burnley, he ended up moving to Wearside in a deal understood to be worth between £1.5m and £2m.
"Arsenal made it pretty clear that there wasn't a pathway through to the first team at this moment in time," said Ballard. "I think we sort of agreed that it was the best thing for me to look for a new challenge permanently.
