Sunderland have completed the signing of defender Daniel Ballard for an undisclosed fee - with the Arsenal man becoming the Black Cats' first new face of the summer. Ballard was on Wearside this week to undergo a medical and finalise his move, signing a three-year deal with an option for a further 12 months.
The Northern Ireland international has been linked with Sunderland over the summer but had looked destined to join Burnley instead, with new boss Vincent Kompany keen to bring him to Turf Moor as the Clarets look to return to the Premier League at the first attempt. But while he travelled to Burnley for a medical, his switch to the Lancashire club broke down over the weekend over personal terms and, as ChronicleLive revealed earlier this week, Sunderland immediately moved in and led the race to sign the 22-year-old.
There was also interest from Championship clubs Millwall and QPR, while he is also understood to have had potential suitors in Europe, but Sunderland have got their man. Ballard said: "It feels amazing to be here and I'm extremely happy.
