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Birmingham City keeper Jack Butland moves to Stoke City

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments84

Butland denies Suarez for Team GB

Stoke City have signed England goalkeeper Jack Butland from Birmingham City for a fee rising to £3.5m, but will spend the rest of the season with the Championship side.

Blues were keen to sell the 19-year-old because of their financial problems.

Butland signed a four-and-a-half-year contract before being loaned straight back to St Andrew's.

"I've got unfinished business there and I want to help them this season. They have been very good to me," he said.

Butland had because he wanted regular first-team football.

"It's been an incredible day - a very exciting one, but I'm glad it's finished," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I love playing and I don't want to sit on the bench. For me, it was important I went to a club where I can play and develop my game."

Butland has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, Fulham, Newcastle and Manchester City, while Southamptonexternal-link and Evertonexternal-link tried to sign him last summer.

The keeper played for Great Britain at the Olympics and made his England debut in the 2-1 win over Italy in August.

Butland was called up to the England squad for Euro 2012, after third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy broke a finger, even though he had spent the season on loan at League Two side Cheltenham.

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84 comments

  • Comment posted by blues12bar, at 09:58 1 Feb 2013

    Sorry to see him go, but pleased to see that there are still professionals in this sport. the fact that he turned down Chelsea and opted for Stoke speaks volumes about his motives. he made it clear he didn't want to go anywhere. good signing stoke and hope he does well. A lesson to all those money grabbers flocking to Mankers Land who end up warming the bench.

  • Comment posted by nj2810, at 23:18 31 Jan 2013

    Going to Chelsea seems to end most players and managers careers - smart move!

  • Comment posted by U14233082, at 03:33 2 Feb 2013

    We will chew the toffee men up tomorrow and youse lot will not revel in our bad luck no more.
    Jack is being owned by the potters so they can make big bucks in the future. At Blouse he is having an apprenticeship of fire.

    UTV

  • Comment posted by Chris, at 20:09 1 Feb 2013

    Great signing and will prove an absolute snip at the price. Amazed no other club made a solid bid and gutted that my Saints didn't bid again

  • Comment posted by U15570912, at 15:49 1 Feb 2013

    Publicity stunt.

  • Comment posted by U14526977, at 15:03 1 Feb 2013

    This signing definitely hints that Begovic will be on his way to one of the many interested clubs in the summer, if he doesn't go then Butland has to be loaned out again, cannot allow his promising career to stagnate! Excellent signing for Stoke, future top class 'keeper for sure

  • Comment posted by Baldinio, at 14:58 1 Feb 2013

    @70 - He won't be playing second fiddle to anybody, loaned back to Birmingham and then come the summer he replaces Begovic who is apparently going to Man Utd for £10 million.

  • Comment posted by Psychoarsenalysis, at 14:25 1 Feb 2013

    First time I saw him was as a 16 year old in the Under 17 WC. England went out in the last 16 without conceeding a goal in the group stages and with an average defence! He was immense then, great talent!

  • Comment posted by U15599269, at 13:54 1 Feb 2013

    Great keeper, very promising for years to come. Once Begovic goes he will become instant number 1 for Stoke and for sure will move to a top european club in the4 future. Absolute bargain! All Tony needs to do now is sign up Ronaldo

  • Comment posted by Swfcdan, at 13:49 1 Feb 2013

    75

    Totally agree Jake,good on the lad. Great deal for him, could be Stokes regular no1 by next season, if not soon after.

    Him and Hart with be the Eng goalkeepers for many years to come.

  • Comment posted by bigoll, at 13:47 1 Feb 2013

    Please, BBC, stop calling him 'England goalkeeper Jack Butland'. He played 45 minutes of a friendly, that's it. The fact is he's the goalie of a bankrupt team facing a relegation battle in the Championship. That tells you more about why he's playing and how good he is. He may develop into a good keeper over time, but please cut out the self-fulfilling hype - it's what his suitors fell for.

  • Comment posted by David C, at 13:41 1 Feb 2013

    Good move by Stoke. The player obviously has his head screwed on dismissing getting splinters at Chelsea to getting games at Stoke. Well played - a lesson to all young players.

    Butland's example should be followed, but unfortunately too many young players are manipulated by agents and pound signs.

    Best of luck to him and to Stoke.

  • Comment posted by U15324458, at 13:09 1 Feb 2013

    @ 70 Rob Needham
    I think he will have the chance for first team footbal before very long, I think Begovic will be off to pastures new soon and Pulis is planning ahead.

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 12:56 1 Feb 2013

    @70. Rob Needham

    Of course he turned down Chelsea, the guy obviously wants to play football, as opposed to modelling track suits on the bench. Good on him, and has earned a lot of respect for his decision. Unlike many other gold diggers, too numerous to mention. Hope he develops into a future a england number 1.

  • Comment posted by U14928900, at 12:51 1 Feb 2013

    As a CFC fan I have to say respect to him for putting his career ahead of the filty lucre

    well done and good luck

  • Comment posted by Rinky Dinky Do, at 12:31 1 Feb 2013

    @53.smudger666 - Apologies for the late reply, apparently work comes first!!!
    MUFC will struggle to change De Gea's style of play now even at 22, for some reason continental clubs do not train their keepers to come for crosses, they think its the CB responsibility (even in the 6 yard box)
    I think if he stays you make the best of what he’s got (agility, awareness, bravery and presence)

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 12:16 1 Feb 2013

    @66. Sadi

    Perhaps Liverpool / Arsenal are more interested in Begovic than Butland? As for deGea, that's another potential for a summer move.

    As always, when one moves it opens doors for others.

    One thing is for sure, Stoke are in a great position, and should do well out of this in the short and long term.

  • Comment posted by Roy Kift, at 12:10 1 Feb 2013

    So Stoke City will spend the rest of the season with the championship side? Or can't you write English?

  • Comment posted by Sadi, at 12:00 1 Feb 2013

    A keeper with massive potential. Does this mean Begovic is off to United to replace a £18m De Gea?

    Can't help but ask why Liverpool/Arsenal didn't go in for him?

  • Comment posted by bluemoon_noisy, at 11:50 1 Feb 2013

    I think this is a great signing for Stoke, and what a bargain.... Compare this deal to the £20m Utd spent in EDGea and I think Butland is a far better keeper.

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