Southampton have agreed a deal to offload one of their talented academy graduates on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 League One campaign.
The Saints are currently rock bottom of the Premier League but their Academy side are currently sixth in the Premier League 2, sitting just nine points behind the league leaders as well as averaging over two goals per match this season.
One player that has been a constant standout for Southampton’s Academy is striker Dom Ballard and it appears as though he is set for his second League One loan spell of the season.
According to journalist Darren Witcoop, forward Dom Ballard is closing in on a loan switch to League One relegation-strugglers Cambridge United on a deal until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Ballard spent the first half of the season with Steve Bruce’s Blackpool but was recalled almost immediately after the transfer window opened earlier this month.
How has he fared this season?
The 19-year-old began the campaign with Blackpool in League One, making a total of 22 appearances across all competitions for Steve Bruce’s side.
However, he struggled to hold down a starting place following the form of Kyle Joseph and scored just once for the club before being recalled earlier this month.
Upon his return, Ballard has made two appearances for Southampton’s U21s in the Premier League 2 and has scored four goals including a hat-trick against Fulham U21s in a 5-0 victory.
Can he be the saviour?
Despite Cambridge United beating Mansfield Town on Saturday – Garry Monk’s side still find themselves 22nd in League One, though they are now only six points from safety and are unbeaten in their last two outings.
However, the club have the second-worst defence in the division and average just over a goal per game, which simply isn’t enough to ensure their League One survival.
The arrival of a goalscoring forward could provide a much-needed boost in the final third for Cambridge, allowing him to link up with fellow young loanee Josh Stokes who’s also come into form in recent matches.
Ballard may have struggled for goals in League One, but his goals for Southampton and his appearances for England’s U19s suggest there is a very good goalscorer hidden away and he needs to find somewhere where he can unleash himself and prove he isn’t just a youth team scorer.