New signing Daniel Ballard has revealed the key role that Sunderland's Elliot Embleton played in his move from Arsenal to Wearside. Ballard joined the Black Cats yesterday on a three-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, becoming the club's first new face of the summer.
And the Northern Ireland international defender says Embleton - who played alongside Ballard when the pair were on loan at Blackpool the season before last and won promotion from League One through the play-offs - played a part in the move, convincing him to choose Sunderland. "I was extremely close to Embo at Blackpool - we spent a lot of time together and had a successful year at Blackpool winning promotion," said Ballard.
"I've been speaking to Embo especially a lot recently and he has been convincing me to make the move."
