Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has claimed that Jack Butland will fill the void left by Asmir Begovic's move to Chelsea.

The Premier League champions spent a reported £8m to bring in Begovic as competition for first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but Shawcross believes that the departure will create an opportunity for Butland to prove his worth.

"He made it pretty clear he wanted to go and I am happy for him to have this move," the central defender told reporters.

"But we have plenty of good goalkeepers - Jack is a future England number one - and we wish Asmir well and I am sure he will do well."

Stoke boss Mark Hughes also added Shay Given to his squad on a free transfer following his release from Aston Villa.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill