Jacob Luke Butterfield (born 10 June 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Gateshead.

Between 2020 and 2022 he played outside of English football firstly with A-League side Melbourne Victory before a stint in the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone.

He made his debut for Barnsley in a League Cup tie against Newcastle United in August 2007 coming on as a substitute for Martin Devaney during a 2–0 loss.

He also made an appearance coming on as a substitute versus former club Manchester United in a League Cup tie in which Barnsley suffered a 2–0 defeat.

[6] Butterfield missed the rest of the 2011–12 season through injury following a shocking 'tackle' in the New Year's Eve derby encounter with Leeds United bringing his "amazing" form to an end.

He finished the season – albeit prematurely – with five goals to his name and a growing reputation in The Championship, described by his manager Keith Hill as the best midfielder in the league.

On 8 November, Butterfield joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for a month, this becoming Dougie Freedman's first signing since taking over at the Reebok Stadium.

On 2 September 2013, Butterfield signed a three-year contract, with a one-year option to extend, at Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.

He was also part of the Boro side whose victory on 26 April 2014 relegated his former club, Barnsley to the third tier of English football.

He repeated that trick just a few days later on 21 October 2014, scoring from close range in the 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, prompting new manager Chris Powell to set Butterfield a target of reaching double figures for the season.

[28] On 26 October 2020, Butterfield signed for A-League side Melbourne Victory,[29] joining his former Luton Town teammate Callum McManaman.

[30] On 22 December 2021, Butterfield scored his first goal for St Johnstone in a 2–1 defeat against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

[33] On 30 July 2024, Butterfield joined National League side Gateshead on a one-year deal with the option to extend.