JACK BUTLAND has completed his transfer to Rangers as the major Ibrox squad rebuild motors on.
The former England goalkeeper becomes Michael Beale’s third signing of the summer already, and will officially join on July 1 on a four-year deal.
SunSport were first to reveal back in April that Butland, 30, had been lined-up as the Gers searched for a new goalkeeper.
Butland, capped nine times by England, moves to Ibrox on a free transfer from Crystal Palace.
He’d spent last season on loan at Manchester United as an understudy to under-fire David De Gea.
Butland was an unused sub as the Red Devils lost the FA Cup Final to rivals City on Saturday.
United had threatened to throw a late spanner in the works, as they were willing to DOUBLE the keeper’s salary to land him permanently.
Butland, however, has decided he wants to play regular football again and soon both parties reached a compromise over his wages.
Palace retained an option to extend Butland’s deal for a further year, but as we revealed over the weekend, they decided not to take up that chance leaving him free to join Rangers.
Rangers said in a statement: “Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce the pre-contract signing of Jack Butland from Crystal Palace. Jack will officially join the club on July 1, on a four-year deal, subject to international clearance.
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“The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who has been capped nine times by England, becomes Michael Beale’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling.
“Butland arrives with significant Premier League experience, starting his career at Birmingham City before making the move to Stoke City in 2013.
“The Englishman racked up over 150 appearances for the Potters across a seven-year spell, earning the club’s Player of the Year award in both the 2015/16 and 2018/19 campaigns for his impressive performances.
“In the meantime, Butland continued to gain international recognition and boasts the honour of being England’s youngest ever international goalkeeper after making his debut as a 19-year-old in a friendly against Italy.
“The goalkeeper then joined Crystal Palace in 2020, before moving on loan to Manchester United for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign as Erik ten Hag’s side lifted the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final, and secured a top four finish in the Premier League.”
Butland added: “I’m over the moon. The club speaks for itself. No matter where you are in football, you know about Rangers Football Club. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m delighted to be here.
“I feel great and motivated at the age that I am, and I feel excited at what the future holds. Doing that at a club that is equally as passionate about winning and being at the top was huge for me.
“It’s an important summer for the club and we need to get off to a good start. Getting the work done early is hugely important, so that we’re settled and raring to go when we come back in.”
Beale commented on Butland not only being an excellent goalkeeper, but a brilliant personality for the Ibrox dressing room.
He said: I am delighted that we have recruited Jack. It was clear from our first meeting that we have a strong alignment on football and his development moving forward.
“At 30, he is coming into the prime years of his career having already amassed huge experience with 300 appearances in senior football, including almost 90 in the Premier League.
“In addition, he has played for England at every level, including nine caps for the senior team and five for the Great Britain Olympic team.
“I feel that we have recruited an excellent goalkeeper and, importantly, a top person. We are delighted to have Jack and his young family arriving in Glasgow and look forward to seeing him excel in his time at Rangers.”
A new goalkeeper has been a priority position for the Gers with long-time first choice Allan McGregor leaving at the end of the season just gone.
Robby McCrorie finished the season as No1 while Jon McLaughlin also remains at Ibrox.
Butland will see the move as a chance to revitalise his career, and he bid farewell to the Palace fans with a goodbye message on social media.
He wrote: “I would like to thank everybody at @CPFC for making my time in South London so enjoyable and the fans for the support we were given everywhere we went. I made friends and memories I won’t forget and I wish you nothing but the best moving forward!”
He broke through at Birmingham City as a teenager, becoming first choice at the age of just 19.
His excellent form drew the attention of England boss Roy Hodgson and despite playing in the second tier, he was part of the squad at Euro 2012.
Butland made his debut in a friendly against Italy at the age of 19 years and 158 days becoming England’s youngest-ever goalkeeper.
Perhaps ironically, it was an injury to now-Celtic keeper Joe Hart that saw him installed in the starting line-up.
Butland got his big move to the Premier League with Stoke in 2013 and established himself as No1 from the 2015/16 season onwards.
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He becomes Beale’s third summer signing after the arrivals of midfielder Kieran Dowell from Norwich and Chelsea defender Dujon Sterling on free transfers.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
