Jack Butland’s rise to prominence was rapid, as he earned a call-up to England’s Euro 2012 squad despite lacking first-team experience with Birmingham City. His impressive displays for Team GB in the Olympics, coupled with a successful loan spell at Cheltenham Town, propelled him into Birmingham’s starting lineup for the 2012/13 season.
Remarkably, Butland made his international debut in August 2012, just days before his competitive debut for Birmingham. Stoke City recognized his potential and secured his signature midway through the season, loaning him back to Birmingham before integrating him into their squad for the 2013/14 campaign. Initially serving as a backup, he gained valuable experience on loan at various clubs.
However, Butland seized the opportunity to claim the starting goalkeeper spot for Stoke in the 2015/16 season following Asmir Begovic’s departure. Despite a setback due to injury in the subsequent season, he bounced back and remained a consistent performer even as Stoke faced relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
Despite Stoke’s relegation, Butland remained loyal to the club and delivered standout performances in the Championship. He showcased his quality with impressive clean sheet records during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, solidifying his status as a key player for Stoke.
However, Butland’s tenure at Stoke concluded on a disappointing note with a heavy defeat to Leeds United in July 2020, marking his final appearance for the club. Nonetheless, his time at Stoke will be remembered for his exceptional contributions, considering his modest transfer fee of £3.5 million and his consistent performances, even in challenging circumstances.