Trafford joins Leeds from Man City in potential £45m deal

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, James Trafford's switch to Leeds United comes after a lack of game time on his return to Manchester City last summer

Leeds United have signed Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford in a deal worth up to £45m.

The England international has left Etihad Stadium just a year after returning from Burnley in a £27m move last summer.

Trafford, who was part of England's World Cup squad this summer but did not feature, made 17 appearances for City last season - four in the Premier League - but played a big part in their Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs.

The 23-year-old's move to West Yorkshire comes after the arrival of Champions League-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, in September, ended Trafford's hopes of establishing himself as Manchester City's first-choice goalkeeper.

The move represents a new record fee for a British goalkeeper, surpassing the previous benchmark of £30m which Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017.

It also makes him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history, with only Kepa Arrizabalaga (£68m) and Alisson (£62m) commanding higher fees.

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Leeds boss Daniel Farke appears willing to pay a premium despite Trafford's limited opportunities at Manchester City last season, after both Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier left Elland Road this summer.

Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns remain on the books, though Perri lost his place to Darlow in the second half of last season and did not feature in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat by Newcastle on 7 January.

Leeds are investing in the potential of a young goalkeeper whose highlights have largely come in the Championship with Burnley, where he conceded just 16 goals in 45 appearances.

Trafford has only played 32 top-flight games, but former Clarets boss Scott Parker previously praised his turnaround at Turf Moor before moving to the Etihad.

Praised as "world class" by Parker, Trafford's 29 clean sheets and 84.47% save ratio were key to Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League in 2024-25.

Trafford began his career at City and had loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before joining Burnley in 2023.

He made 73 appearances for the Clarets before City activated their buy-back option last summer.

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