Leeds United secure services of Butland for remainder of season

Leeds United have confirmed they have signed Jack Butland, the Stoke City goalkeeper, on loan for the remainder of their Championship season.

The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the best young shot-stoppers in the country, and has been tipped to soon rival Manchester City’s Joe Hart for the England number one jersey. Indeed, the Bristol-born ace already has one full international cap under his belt, having became the youngest goalkeeper to represent the Three Lions when he started in the 2-1 friendly win over Italy in August 2012 when aged just 19 years and 158 days old.

Butland developed through the youth ranks at Birmingham City before progressing through to their first team, but was sold to Stoke in January 2013 for a fee of around £3.1million. He was loaned back to the St Andrews club for the remainder of that season, and earlier this campaign, he featured 13 times during a temporary spell at Barnsley.

Having been recalled by the Potters following an injury to Asmir Begovic in December, Butland made his Premier League debut on New Years’ Day when he replaced Thomas Sorensen at the halfway stage of a 1-1 draw with Everton. He made his first start for the club on 12 January, but conceded five times in a thrilling 5-3 loss to Liverpool.

Now Stoke have both Begovic and Sorensen available again, Mark Hughes is happy to let his third-choice leave on loan so he can gain regular first team football. And he could now feature against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, after agreeing to join Leeds on loan for the remainder of the season.

“We’re delighted to agree a deal to secure the services of Jack until the end of the season,” manager Brian McDermott told the official club website. “Obviously he has high ambitions. He has already been involved in the England squad and I know he is very much looking forward to coming in and being part of the group we have here.”

 

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