Daniel Ballard has signed a new professional contract with the club.

The 19-year-old is a product of our Hale End academy and has been at the club since he was eight years old.

He signed as a scholar in August 2016 and in June last year he was offered his first professional contract.

Ballard made 18 appearances in the Premier League 2 this season, helping us to keep seven clean sheets along the way, in addition to being handed the captain’s armband for the first time against Derby County.

His fine form earned him a call up to Northern Ireland’s senior squad last March.

We would like to congratulate Daniel on his new contract and we are looking forward to seeing his continued development at the club.