Why Crystal Palace signing Jack Butland is a smart move

Sky Sports can confirm that Crystal Palace have signed Jack Butland on a three-year deal from Stoke City. The transfer fee is said to be around £1million with add-ons. Manager Roy Hodgson was very happy about the acquisition given he had worked with the keeper when he was the England boss.

Profile

Jack Butland is a 27-year-old English goalkeeper who plays for Championship side Stoke City. He started his youth career at Clevedon United before moving to Birmingham City in 2007. He spent the next few seasons progressing through the youth teams.

He was promoted to the senior side in 2011 but was immediately loaned out to Cheltenham Town for the season. On his return, he played all of Birmingham’s games in the Championship. He played a total of 46 games for them before Stoke City signed him in 2013.

He had to go out on three more loan spells between 2013 and 2015 to Barnsley, Leeds and Derby County respectively. From 2015 onwards, he became Stoke’s No.1. Despite the club getting relegated in 2018, Butland still stuck around, much to everyone’s surprise.

In 168 appearances for the Potters, he has kept 50 clean sheets (source – Transfermarkt). Butland has been a regular of the England youth teams and has also played 9 games for the senior team.

A smart signing from Palace

With Wayne Hennessy out injured, Crystal Palace needed an able second choice keeper to compete with Vicente Guaita. In Jack Butland they have found one. While the Englishman has not been the same since relegation with Stoke back in 2018, he was one of the best keepers in the league during his time in the top-flight.

Someone who often saved Stoke from embarrassing scorelines, Hodgson will be hoping he can produce the same when given the chance at Selhurst Park. A solid goalkeeper, he is a reliable presence between the sticks.

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For the reported price of £1million, Crystal Palace are getting a steal. At just 27, Butland could well rediscover his form and become the keeper he once was in the Premier League. Not only could he be a great second choice but he can also provide a strong challenge to Guaita. Butland could be one of the smartest signings of the season for Palace.