Meet Como 1907’s newest goalkeeper, Jean Butez

Jean Butez’s journey to Como 1907 is a story of hard work and patience. Born on June 8, 1995, in Lille, France, Butez started his football journey with local club FC Merris. His natural talent in goal quickly stood out, earning him recognition at a futsal tournament where he was named the best goalkeeper. It was here he also caught the attention of Lille OSC, and joined their prestigious academy, laying the groundwork for his professional career.

Despite spending five seasons at Lille and making 81 appearances for the reserve team, Butez’s first-team debut never came. A loan move to Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium during the 2017–18 season gave him the platform to shine. “Mouscron was a big step for me,” he says. “It was my first taste of regular first-team football, and I knew I had to prove myself.”

Prove himself he did. Butez’s consistent performances earned him a permanent transfer to Mouscron and eventually a move to Royal Antwerp FC in 2020. At Antwerp, Butez cemented his reputation as one of the Belgian Pro League’s best goalkeepers. His 2022–23 season was a career highlight, where his 27 clean sheets helped Antwerp secure a historic domestic treble. “Winning the league, the cup, and the Super Cup in one season was unforgettable,” Butez recalls. “It’s something I’ll always be proud of.”

In January 2025, Butez took the next step in his career, joining Como 1907 on a three-year deal. Manager Cesc Fàbregas praised his arrival: “Jean’s consistency and leadership from the back are qualities that will greatly benefit our team. His experience and shot-stopping abilities make him a valuable asset as we continue to strengthen our squad.”

Butez made an immediate impact. His debut against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico showcased his ability to adapt quickly. “It’s not easy to do what I ask, especially for a goalkeeper, because managing certain situations when the opposition presses you man-to-man can be challenging. He started a bit nervously, which is understandable, but he still handled the game well despite the limited preparation. He’s a strong goalkeeper, quick to react, excellent at coming off his line, and good with his feet. He will undoubtedly improve with time,” said Fàbregas.

Off the pitch, Butez is equally enthusiastic about his new home. With family ties to Milan and friendships with players like Benjamin Pavard, who plays for Inter, he already feels a connection to the region. “Yeah, I’ve got friends here and my parents also lived in Milan for a few years. I also have some French friends who have come to live in Milan, including Benjamin Pavard who plays for Inter Milan and with whom I used to train with in the same club growing up. I’ve also had a lot of positive feedback from friends who have been able to visit the city of Como.”

He’s been impressed with the club’s ambition, too. “I think that the club is developing positively and is a solid contender in the Italian league. I also got a lot of positive feedback about life in Italy from Mark Van Bommel, the coach I have had for the past two years. He wished me good luck here and gave me a lot of good information, along with Dennis Praet, because they thought it would be a good adventure for me and my family.”

Butez has also quickly fallen for his new home stadium. “I really like the Sinigaglia stadium, especially the view with the lake right behind it. For me, it’s something quite unique and cool. Also, the club’s ambition and infrastructure, which is becoming more and more important here.”

As for his teammates, Butez is already seeing the potential in the group. “We have big names in European football, even though they’re still very young. It’s already an honor to be able to play with players of this quality who already have impressive careers at a young age and have already played with the best players in the world at their age. It’s also a very positive and important element that the club’s mission is to progress by developing players of this calibre. There is a very interesting level of ball possession and technical and tactical quality and I’m very happy to be able to play in a team of this quality.”

As Como 1907 looks to the future, Jean Butez is set to play a key role in the team’s progress. His skill, experience, and leadership have already made an impact, and he’s just getting started.For more from Jean Butez on his move to Como and life in Italy, watch his full interview on Como TV  https://tv.comofootball.com/ .