Jack Butland has revealed his delight at completing a move to Manchester United, with the goalkeeper joining the Red Devils on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
The 29-year-old has made the move to Old Trafford from Crystal Palace, and he could potentially be involved in Tuesday's EFL Cup contest with Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford.
Butland has said that he is "over the moon" to join Man United, who moved for another goalkeeper after Newcastle United made the decision to recall Martin Dubravka.
The England international has revealed that he could have made the move to the Red Devils over the summer, but a broken hand ended his chances of switching clubs ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
'"I am over the moon. It has been a whirlwind few days but to call yourself a Manchester United player, is pretty awesome and I don't think it has quite sunk in yet," Butland told MUTV.
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"I don't think that is a difficult question (what attracted him to the club) to answer, to be honest. It's arguably the best club in the world, it's a club I grew up watching as a kid.
"I had the shirts, my name and number seven on the back, even though I didn't end up as a winger. It's always been a bit of a fairytale thing for me and the opportunity to come here, in the sort of upturn that the club has sort of had after a difficult few years, you could say.
"With the history, the power and the presence the club still has, there is never a bad time to join Manchester United. I think things seem to be progressing in a very pleasing direction. What an opportunity it is to be a part of that.
"There had sort of been rumblings all year, they started in the summer. Then, ironically, I broke my hand playing against United in Australia on the pre-season tour which put a bit of a stopper to that.
"I have really just focused on getting fit again and then here we are. The last sort of week, it's bubbled up again and the contact was there. The opportunity then became an option and we took it."
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Butland has also revealed that he is looking forward to working alongside fellow goalkeepers David de Gea and Tom Heaton.
"I have obviously known Tom [Heaton] for a long time, I know what Tom is about. What a great guy and what a great goalkeeper he is," he added.
"I am really looking forward to training with David [De Gea], someone who has been at the top of his game for such a long time, and who has also has a lot of history and respect here at the club.
"It's a great opportunity for me to train with him but also test myself against him as well. Also just to train alongside the guys and push each other.
"I spoke to Richard Hartis, the goalkeeper coach, as well and there is a mutual excitement between ourselves to get going and get the goalkeeper gloves on. I am excited to get going and get out there with them."
Butland is yet to play for Palace this season due to injury, but he has been on the bench for two of the team's last three Premier League matches.
Matt Law
