Leyton Orient dealt major transfer blow ahead of League One opener vs Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday will not have to deal with Dom Ballard when they head to Leyton Orient on the opening day of the 2026/27 League One campaign.
Leyton Orient have announced the departure of star striker Dom Ballard ahead of next Saturday’s League One opener against Sheffield Wednesday at the BetWright Stadium.
Following several weeks of speculation, the O’s announced Ballard’s departure on Tuesday evening, confirming that he had finalised a move to Championship club Bristol City. The Londoners also confirmed that he had joined the Robins for a club-record fee.
Ballard, who has signed a four-year contract with the Robins, was the leading goalscorer in League One last season, scoring 23 goals in 40 appearances. He played a key role in helping Orient preserve their third-tier status, with Richie Wellens’ side finishing just one place and three points above the relegation zone.
In addition to winning the League One Golden Boot, Ballard also scooped the League One Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards. The 21-year-old, who joined Orient from Southampton last September on a three-year deal, was also named in the League One Team of the Season.
His exploits in front of goal made him an attractive option heading into this summer's transfer window, and reports linking him with West Ham United and Werder Bremen came and went before Bristol City established themselves as the favourites for his signature. He is the second striker to swap League One for Ashton Gate this summer, following Lorent Tolaj's move from Plymouth Argyle last month.
Ballard's departure from the BetWright Stadium so close to Orient's League One curtain-raiser against the Owls is, of course, a blow for the Londoners, but the Robins met their valuation of the striker.
Majority Shareholder David Gandler told Orient’s club website: “Dom was named as League One’s best player for good reason last year. He had a fantastic season and has shown that he is very capable of playing at a higher level.
“We did not want to lose Dom this summer but expected interest in his services and, as I have said previously, he was only going to leave the club if an offer met our valuation. Bristol City have now done that and Dom leaves Leyton Orient with all of our best wishes.”