Leeds have completed a deal with to Stoke City to sign goalkeeper Jack Butland on loan until the end of the season, and he is likely to make an instant debut at Middlesbrough.
Brian McDermott has been forced into this move with Paddy Kenny struggling with an ankle problem and reserve keeper Jamie Ashdown still out with a long-term injury. And the signing is another sign that Massimo Cellino is continuing to bankroll the club, as we add to the wage bill despite our well-publicised cashflow problems
Brian McDermott told the club website: "We’re delighted to agree a deal to secure the services of Jack until the end of the season. 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.”
But Mark Hughes has confirmed that there is no chance of Leeds being able to convert this loan move into a permanent signing at the end of the season, as he is only allowing Butland to come to Elland Road to get some more first team experience. All the same, this should be a good signing for Leeds, as I’ve always been impressed with Butland every time he’s played against us for Birmingham.
We were also linked with former Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes, but presumably he was just an alternative in case we didn’t manage to get Butland, and he won’t now be coming to Leeds.