Florent Ghisolfi hails powerful message as Dan Ballard signs new Sunderland deal | OneFootball

Sunderland confirmed that Dan Ballard has signed a new contract to the summer of 2029, with the option of a further year at the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding debut Premier League campaign after playing an integral part in last season’s promotion. The agreement is seen as a significant statement of intent as Sunderland continue to build under Régis Le Bris and sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.

Ballard has made 114 appearances since arriving in June 2022, scoring eight goals. Among them was a last-minute winner against Coventry City in the play-off semi-final that sent the Black Cats to Wembley.

This season he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dominant centre-backs. Sunderland have recorded eight clean sheets in 27 top-flight matches, and the Northern Ireland international has four goal involvements.

The announcement comes on the same evening he is set to be honoured at the North East Football Writers’ Association annual dinner at Ramside. He will receive the Player of the Year award, becoming the first men’s player to claim it since Jermain Defoe in 2016.

Source: Sunderland Echo