Crystal Palace have completed the signing of goalkeeper Jack Butland from Stoke City, with the 27-year-old signing a three-year contract at Selhurst Park.
Current backup goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey picked up a thigh injury while away on international duty and is expected to be out until February 2021, so Palace had to act quick to secure a capable replacement from the Championship.
The Eagles have settled on Butland, who had entered the final year of his contract at Stoke and had made it clear that he planned to leave for free if he was not granted a transfer."I’m very happy that the club has managed to acquire the signature of Jack to join us and compete for a place amongst our goalkeepers at the club," manager Roy Hodgson told the club's official website. "Jack is a player that I worked with for four years at England.
"His last game for me as England manager was a very unfortunate one where he broke his ankle and that cost him his place in the 2016 Euros. But I’ve always believed in Jack’s potential.
"I am aware that his last spell at Stoke hasn’t been the happiest one for him but I sincerely believe that with his qualities, coming to a new club will enable him to resurrect his career and show once again what a good goalkeeper he is."
Butland admitted that the chance to reunite with Hodgson helped convince him to make the move to Palace, with the Englishman looking to rebuild his confidence after a rough few seasons with Stoke.
“It will be great to see him again and work with him again," Butland told Palace TV. "He gave me the most amazing point in my career: making my England debut. That’s something I’m forever grateful for. I’m thankful for the opportunity again to work together - I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Palace chairman Steve Parish added: "We have added another experienced player of high calibre to our squad in Jack. It marks a really successful window for us, with five quality signings, adding great depth to Roy’s squad."
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Source : 90min