Leeds Signs Man City Goalkeeper James Trafford In £45m Deal

Leeds United have completed the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in a deal worth £45 million.

The England goalkeeper leaves City just one year after returning to the club from Burnley in a £27 million transfer.

Although he was included in England’s World Cup squad this summer, the 23-year-old did not make an appearance during the tournament.

Last season, James Trafford featured 17 times for Manchester City, including four Premier League matches.

He also helped the club win both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

His decision to join Leeds comes after Manchester City signed Champions League-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, a move that reduced Trafford’s chances of becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The transfer sets a new British record for a goalkeeper, beating the £30 million Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017.

It also places Trafford among the most expensive goalkeepers ever, with only Kepa Arrizabalaga and Alisson having moved for higher fees.

Including his previous transfers, clubs have now spent more than £80 million on Trafford in initial transfer payments.

As part of the agreement, Manchester City will keep a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights, allowing them to match any future bid if another club tries to sign him.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was eager to strengthen his goalkeeping options after Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier both left the club this summer.

While Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns are still in the squad, Perri lost his starting place to Darlow during the second half of last season and did not play another Premier League game after the defeat to Newcastle in January.

Leeds are banking on James Trafford’s potential, especially after his impressive performances at Burnley.

During the 2024-25 Championship season, he conceded only 16 goals in 45 matches and kept 29 clean sheets, recording an outstanding save rate of 84.47% as Burnley secured promotion to the Premier League.

Despite having only 32 Premier League appearances, Trafford earned praise from former Burnley manager Scott Parker, who described him as a “world-class” goalkeeper.

Trafford came through Manchester City’s academy before gaining experience on loan at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers.

He joined Burnley in 2023, made 73 appearances for the club, and returned to City after they activated their buy-back clause last summer.

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