James Trafford Returns to Manchester City in Record-Breaking Transfer
So, here’s a pretty big story in English football right now — James Trafford is officially back at Manchester City, and not just in any old transfer. We're talking about a deal that's believed to be a British record for a goalkeeper. Depending on who you ask, it’s either £27 million plus add-ons or £31 million — but either way, it beats the previous record held by Jordan Pickford when he moved from Sunderland to Everton for £30 million back in 2017.
Trafford, who’s just 22, originally came through City’s academy but didn’t make a senior appearance before moving to Burnley in 2023. That move was worth up to £19 million at the time. He went to Turf Moor in search of regular football, and honestly, he made the most of it. In the 2024–25 season, he was absolutely key to Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League. He kept an incredible 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship matches and even earned a spot in the division’s Team of the Year.
Also Read:- Blue Jays Land Seranthony Dominguez in Bold Bullpen Upgrade
- Are Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson More Than Just Co-Stars?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. City had included both a buy-back clause and matching rights when they sold him — which turned out to be crucial. When Newcastle came in with a £31 million offer, City triggered those clauses and matched it. Trafford chose to return to the Etihad, signing a five-year deal with an option for a sixth. He’ll be wearing the number one shirt this time around.
And it’s clearly a full-circle moment for him. In his words, it’s a “special and proud moment” for both him and his family. He even said he’s returning “a hundred times better” than when he left. Trafford called City his home and said he's excited to work under Pep Guardiola and continue developing his game in what he sees as the best possible environment.
But it’s not just about sentiment. From a performance standpoint, Trafford is coming off a historic season. He matched a 71-year-old Football League record with 30 clean sheets and had an 85% save rate — better than both Ederson and Ortega, though it should be noted that he was playing in the Championship, not the Premier League.
City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, called him one of the most accomplished young keepers in the country and expressed confidence that Trafford has what it takes to succeed both for City and the England national team.
Now, with Ederson entering the final year of his contract and Ortega potentially looking for more playing time elsewhere, Trafford’s arrival might be setting up a new era between the posts at City. Whether he takes over as first-choice right away or not, one thing’s clear — Manchester City believe they’ve brought back a future star.
Read More:
0 Comments