*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:23, 29 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:39, 24 November 2023 (UTC)
Ballard spent the formative years of his childhood living in Greece, before his family moved back to England in 2010 and settled in Berkshire.[3] 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.[3]
Club career
Southampton
Ballard signed his first professional contract with Southampton in April 2022.[4]
On 23 August 2022, in the Carabao Cup, he made his senior debut and scored his first goal for Southampton's first team in a 3–0 win at Cambridge United in the EFL Cup.[5] On 21 May 2023, Ballard made his Premier League debut in a 3–1 defeat to Brighton, replacing Joe Aribo in the 70th minute.[6]
On 27 June 2023, Ballard signed a two-year contract extension until 2026.[7]
Reading (loan)
On 1 September 2023, Ballard joined League One side Reading on a season-long loan.[8] He made his debut for the club on 16 September 2023 in a 2–1 victory against Bolton Wanderers.[9] On 19 September 2023, Ballard scored a brace during a 0–9 victory against Exeter City in the EFL Trophy.[10][11] He scored his first league goal for the club on 3 October 2023 in a 3–1 defeat to Northampton Town.[12] 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.[13] Three days later, Head Coach Rubén Sellés confirmed that Ballard would be out for the season after snapping his patellar tendon.[14]