Gary Rowett: Arsenal loanee will get plenty of game time at Millwall

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is backing Arsenal loanee Daniel Ballard to clock up plenty of game time next season.

The Lions have made the 21-year-old, who impressed at Blackpool as they won promotion via the League One play-offs in May, their second addition of the summer.

Defender Ballard is a full Northern Ireland international.

Rowett told the South London Press: “We were looking for another right-sided centre-back who fitted the profile of how we wanted to play, and how that fits into three at the back at times.

“Daniel was one of those that Harvey [Bussell, head of recruitment] had mentioned. He’d seen quite a lot of him last season. I’d seen quite a lot of him last season and I watched a little bit more in the summer – the more I watched, the more I saw some really good potential.

“I think he will suit the way we want to play. He is one that is very, very aggressive. He’s one that has shown good composure on the ball, but can show a little bit more – in the sense of stepping in with a little bit of build-up play. That is something we want to bring out of his game.

“He had a really, really strong season with Blackpool getting into the Championship. While I’m sure he had the opportunities to go back to the likes of Blackpool and other clubs, we managed to convince him and Arsenal that this was a really strong place to develop further.

“I love his character. He’s had a few setbacks in his career – he’s got that hunger that we like.

“He’s got different types of experience, not just at league level but on the international stage where he has played against top quality players like [Erling] Haaland.

“We felt letting Hayden [Muller] go out on loan [to St Johnstone] – to get the experience he needs – that the deals worked hand in hand. It gives Dan the chance to step up to Championship level and make a mark there.”

Arsenal loans manager Dan Knapper was also involved in the process. Blackpool were keen on bringing Ballard back for a second spell.

Rowett said: “We spoke to the player, to get a feel for the player, and we spoke to Ben, to give an idea of how we saw his season developing – how we saw our style of play and how Dan would fit into that.

“Like a lot of Premier League clubs they have a very stringent policy – but so do we. It’s all about getting the right fit for the player so that you can develop them for you or learn what you want to learn about them.

“We’re happy that Dan and Arsenal felt we would be a good fit for them.

“He’s certainly not just a young player coming into our group. He is one I’m expecting to start a lot of games for us.”