# Dom Ballard

Dominic Ballard (born 1 April 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Cambridge United, on loan from Premier League club Southampton.

## Early life

Ballard spent the formative years of his childhood living in Greece, before his family moved back to England in 2010 and settled in Berkshire. When he was first invited to train at Southampton, Ballard and his parents would commute to the south coast a couple of times a week.

## Club career
### Southampton

Ballard signed his first professional contract with Southampton in April 2022.
On 23 August 2022, he made his senior debut and scored his first goal for Southampton's first team in a 3–0 victory against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup. On 21 May 2023, Ballard made his Premier League debut in a 3–1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, replacing Joe Aribo in the 70th minute.
On 27 June 2023, Ballard signed a two-year contract extension until 2026.

#### Reading (loan)

On 1 September 2023, Ballard joined League One side Reading on a season-long loan. He made his debut for the club on 16 September 2023 in a 2–1 victory against Bolton Wanderers. On 19 September 2023, Ballard scored a brace during a 0–9 victory against Exeter City in the EFL Trophy. He scored his first league goal for the club on 3 October 2023 in a 3–1 defeat to Northampton Town. During a 1–2 victory against Wycombe Wanderers on 25 November 2023, Ballard was forced off in the first half after suffering a leg injury from a fall. Three days later, head coach Rubén Sellés confirmed that Ballard would be out for the season after snapping his patellar tendon.

#### Blackpool (loan)

On 13 August 2024, Ballard joined League One side Blackpool on a season-long loan. He made his debut for the club on 17 August 2024 in a 3–0 home defeat against Stockport County after he replaced Ashley Fletcher in the 72nd minute. On 24 August 2024, Ballard scored his first goal for the club in a 4–4 draw with Cambridge United. He suffered a shoulder injury during a 2–0 victory against Huddersfield Town on 24 September 2024, with head coach Steve Bruce later confirming Ballard was expected to be sidelined for several weeks. On 3 January 2025, he was recalled from loan and returned to Southampton.

#### Cambridge United (loan)

On 27 January 2025, Ballard joined League One side Cambridge United on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.

## International career

Having previously represented England U17s, Ballard made his U18 debut during a 1–0 win over the Netherlands in Pinatar on 21 September 2022.
On 6 September 2023, Ballard made his England U19 debut during a 1–0 defeat to Germany in Oliva.
On 6 September 2023, Ballard made a goalscoring England U20 debut during a 1–1 draw away to Turkey.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 15 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Southampton U23 | 2021–22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Southampton | 2022–23 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 |
| Southampton | 2023–24 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Southampton | 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Southampton | Total | Total | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 |
| Reading (loan) | 2023–24 | League One | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 5 |
| Blackpool (loan) | 2024–25 | League One | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| Cambridge United (loan) | 2024–25 | League One | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 38 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 49 | 8 |

#### Notes

* 1 2 3 Appearances in the EFL Trophy