According to the Sheffield Star, Sheffield Wednesday have the option to buy Jacob Butterfield from Derby County at the end of his loan deal.
Wednesday moved to secure the service of Butterfield on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, a deal that saw Sam Winnall move in the opposite direction out of Hillsborough.
It has now been revealed in reports that Wednesday have the option to buy Butterfield permanently next summer, when the experienced midfielder’s loan is over.
The 27-year-old, who has enjoyed spells with a host of Sky Bet Championship clubs, has made almost 300 senior appearances during an 11-year career.
Butterfield’s spell with Derby stretched from 2015 until last week, with the midfielder making 89 appearances for the Rams across all competitions, scoring nine goals.
Speaking to the Star after completing his loan move to Hillsborough, Butterfield indicated that he would have made a permanent switch to the Owls if the opportunity had come around this summer, he said: “We have gone with a loan to begin but Sheffield Wednesday is a great club and I definitely would have committed to the club on a permanent basis if that had been agreed.”
Butterfield, who has previously played in South Yorkshire for Barnsley, could make his Owls debut this coming weekend, when Carlos Carvalhal’s side face Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s teatime kick-off.
That clash with Forest is the first of back-to-back fixtures at Hillsborough for Carvalhal’s side, who then welcome Brentford on Tuesday evening.
The Owls will be hoping to build on the six-points they have from their opening five fixtures.
The Verdict
Butterfield is an excellent Championship midfielder, who has the potential to flourish with Sheffield Wednesday this season.
Wednesday’s style of play will suit Butterfield, and if he impresses, the player and club will be encouraged that they have the option to make his stay permanent next year.
Carvalhal will be looking to his new midfield maestro to make an instant impact in Wednesday’s home fixtures next week, with the Owls struggling to impress during the early stage of the Championship season.
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