Dominic Ballard (born 1 April 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Leyton Orient.
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.
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 3âÂÂ0 victory against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup. On 21 May 2023, Ballard made his Premier League debut in a 3âÂÂ1 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.
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 2âÂÂ1 victory against Bolton Wanderers. On 19 September 2023, Ballard scored a brace during a 0âÂÂ9 victory against Exeter City in the EFL Trophy. He scored his first league goal for the club on 3 October 2023 in a 3âÂÂ1 defeat to Northampton Town. During a 1âÂÂ2 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.
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 3âÂÂ0 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 4âÂÂ4 draw with Cambridge United. He suffered a shoulder injury during a 2âÂÂ0 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.
On 27 January 2025, Ballard joined League One side Cambridge United on loan for the remainder of the 2024âÂÂ25 season. He made his debut for the club on 28 January 2025 in a 2âÂÂ1 defeat against Rotherham United after he replaced Josh Stokes in the 67th minute. On 11 March 2025, Ballard scored his first goal for the club in a 2âÂÂ1 defeat against Blackpool.
On 1 September 2025, Ballard joined Leyton Orient on a three-year contract with an option of a fourth. He was named EFL League One Player of the Month for January 2026 having scored five goals in six matches, including a perfect hat-trick against former club Reading.
Having previously represented England U17s, Ballard made his U18 debut during a 1âÂÂ0 win over the Netherlands in Pinatar on 21 September 2022.
On 6 September 2023, Ballard made his England U19 debut during a 1âÂÂ0 defeat to Germany in Oliva.
On 6 September 2024, Ballard made a goalscoring England U20 debut during a 1âÂÂ1 draw away to Turkey.
Individual