Arsenal defender Dan Ballard joins Millwall on loan

Arsenal have confirmed that defender Dan Ballard has joined Millwall on loan for the 2021-22 season.

The 21-year-old has risen through the youth ranks at the Gunners since joining their Hale End academy and spent a successful season on loan with Blackpool last term.

Ballard scored two goals in 25 League One appearances for the Seasiders and played the full 90 minutes as Blackpool beat Lincoln City 2-1 in the playoff final to return to the Championship.

The centre-back is yet to make an appearance for Arsenal's first team but has scored two goals in 24 appearances for the Under-23s, as well as netting five times in 35 games for the Under-18s.

Ballard also enjoyed a short-lived stint on loan at Swindon Town in the 2019-20 season and already boasts eight caps for the Northern Ireland international team under Ian Baraclough.