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

What the report says

Leeds United have completed the signing of Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford in a transfer BBC Sport says could be worth up to £45m. The move brings the 23-year-old to Elland Road only a year after City re-signed him from Burnley, and it follows a spell in which he found limited opportunities at the Etihad despite being part of England’s World Cup squad this summer.

BBC Sport reports that Trafford made 17 appearances for City last season, including four in the Premier League, while also contributing to the club’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes. His prospects at City were further reduced by the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, which appears to have accelerated the decision to move on. The fee is described as a new record for a British goalkeeper, exceeding the £30m Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017.

The broadcaster also says City will keep a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights as part of the deal. Leeds are understood to be paying a premium because they need a goalkeeper after changes to their squad this summer, with Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier both departing. Trafford is viewed as a major long-term investment, with much of his reputation built on his Championship form for Burnley rather than his limited Premier League minutes.

More broadly, the transfer adds to a career that has already included Manchester City, loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers, and a successful period at Burnley before City exercised their buy-back option.