Jack Butland joined Stoke City in January 2013 and proved to be a significant success for the club.
In January 2013, Stoke City, then a Premier League outfit, secured the signature of 19-year-old goalkeeper Jack Butland from Birmingham City. Despite his young age and Championship background, Butland had already represented Great Britain at the Olympics and made his debut for the England national team in 2012.
The move proved to be a masterstroke, as Stoke acquired Butland for just £3.5 million. Over the following years, the Bristol-born goalkeeper flourished at the bet365 Stadium, establishing himself as one of the top keepers in the country.
Given his status as a full England international at such a young age, Stoke’s ability to acquire Butland for such a modest fee was an incredible piece of business. Throughout his seven-year tenure with the club, Butland consistently delivered stellar performances, solidifying his place as a fan favorite and a cornerstone of Stoke City’s success.
Acquiring Jack Butland from Birmingham City proved to be a stroke of genius for Stoke City.
It was a whirlwind period for Jack Butland, culminating in his call-up to England’s squad for Euro 2012 despite never having played a first-team match for his club, Birmingham City. Following impressive performances in the Olympics for Team GB and a successful loan stint at Cheltenham Town, Butland was given the opportunity to claim the starting goalkeeper position at Birmingham for the 2012/13 season.
Remarkably, Butland made his England debut on August 15, 2012, just three days before his competitive debut for Birmingham City. His immediate impact showcased his exceptional talent.
After only half a season at St Andrew’s, Stoke City moved swiftly to secure Butland on a permanent deal. As part of the agreement, he was loaned back to Birmingham for the remainder of the season.
Ahead of the 2013/14 season, he joined Stoke but found himself as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Asmir Begovic and Thomas Sorensen. Consequently, he was loaned to Barnsley, followed by stints at Leeds and Derby County.
However, Butland seized his opportunity and became the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2015/16 season after Begovic’s departure to Chelsea. He impressed, recording ten clean sheets in 31 appearances and aiding Stoke to a commendable 9th place finish.
A frustrating 2016/17 campaign ensued as Butland suffered a severe injury, sidelining him for a significant portion of the season. Nonetheless, he made a strong comeback the following season.
Despite Stoke’s relegation in 2017/18, Butland continued to excel, registering six clean sheets in 35 league games. Remarkably, Stoke retained Butland’s services in the Championship, defying expectations.
During the 2018/19 season, he notched an impressive 18 clean sheets in 45 league games, followed by nine in 35 appearances the subsequent season. However, a 5-0 defeat to Leeds United in July 2020 marked his 168th and final appearance for Stoke as he departed the club later that year.
Although his departure wasn’t ideal, Butland will always be remembered as a remarkable signing for just £3.5 million. He consistently delivered standout performances, even during challenging periods for Stoke.
Stoke City might rue the missed opportunity to sell Jack Butland.
Jack Butland made the switch to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in 2020, with Stoke City reportedly receiving a fee of just £500k due to his contract nearing expiration the following summer.
This marked a significant loss for Stoke, considering their earlier demands of £23 million for the goalkeeper in the summer of 2019 and a reported asking price of £70 million in 2018, following their relegation to the Championship.
While the failure to capitalize on Butland’s transfer value may seem like poor planning by Stoke, it’s unlikely that any club would have met such lofty price tags, despite Butland’s impressive performances.
Butland remained with Crystal Palace until the summer of 2023, with a brief spell at Manchester United during that time, but his appearances for the Eagles were limited, leading to his release.
Following his departure from Crystal Palace, Butland found success at Scottish powerhouse Rangers, where he established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Although Butland hasn’t replicated his Stoke City form since leaving, he will always be cherished by the club for his exceptional talent and the bargain he represented.