Birmingham Butland, Dallas Shea seal moves to Stoke, Upson, Delap out

Stoke City have officially confirmed the signing of Birmingham highly-rated goalkeeper Jack Butland in a deal worth £5 million.

Butland has been immediately loaned back to Birmingham until the end of the season. The move has fuelled the speculations that Stoke first-choice goalie Asmir Begovic is set to join Manchester United in summer.

The 19-year-old keeper who has earned his first England cap against Italy half a year ago has decided to choose the Potters over Chelsea (who have also made an official bid for him) as they have guaranteed he will be the first team regular at the Britannia Stadium.

Butland said: “I feel very lucky to come to a great club. It just ticked all the boxes for me. I’ve come to a solid club who are doing well in the Premier League with great fans. The staff around the club, the goalie coach and the manager, I can see it is a very professional environment and I am looking forward to getting to work with them.”

Earlier Stoke City have signed 22-year-old American international winger Brek Shea from MLS side Dallas for £2.5 million.

Veteran defender Matthew Upson has joined Brighton on loan until the end of the season, while Rory Delap completed loan moved to Barnsley.