The 18 year old has sealed the first senior loan of his career as he moves to the League One club for the rest of the campaign. Ballard has made an excellent start to the season with six goals in three games in Premier League 2 and will now gain more valuable experience in senior football with the Royals. He has already made four appearances for the first team, scoring on his professional debut in the EFL Cup and making further cameos in the FA Cup and Premier League towards the end of the 2022-23 season.

The club statement adds: “The club wishes Dom the best during his loan spell and will monitor his progress.”

Ballard takes the number nine shirt at the Royals and trained with the squad at Bearwood on Friday ahead of completing the move.