Leeds United have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City for £40 million plus £5 million in add-ons. The 23-year-old England international moves to Yorkshire in a bid for more game time.
Trafford joined Manchester City last summer in a £27 million move from Burnley, just two years after City sold him for £14 million. The transfer ensures City make a substantial profit on the player.
Newcastle United had spoken to Manchester City in recent weeks about Trafford and tried previously to sign him, before exploring other options.
The move makes Trafford the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time. The fee surpasses Jordan Pickford's £30 million transfer from Sunderland to Everton in 2017, leaving only Kepa Arrizabalaga at £68 million and Alisson Becker at £62 million as keepers who have commanded higher fees.
Trafford is also a club record signing for Leeds United, eclipsing the £35.5 million deal for Georginio Rutter in January 2023. He is the club's third arrival of the summer transfer window, following Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic.
Frustrations at Manchester City
Trafford expected to take the No 1 jersey when he signed for Pep Guardiola last summer. However, he was sidelined when Manchester City seized an opportunity to bring in Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint Germain.
The goalkeeper ended up playing just four times under Guardiola in the Premier League. He did feature in a further 13 cup games as Manchester City won both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Speaking in February after an FA Cup win over Salford City, Trafford reflected on his position. "It was nice to play, it wasn't what I expected coming into the season," Trafford said. "I tried to guard against the situation happening but it's the reality and I know every time I play, I have to give it my best shot and try and win and try and improve."
"It's the current situation I'm in," Trafford added. In a separate interview, he acknowledged the season had been difficult: "It has obviously been very up and down throughout the season because I haven't played too much and obviously I had a decision to make in the summer."
"Everyone always thinks when you make decisions for the best possible outcome and obviously it hasn't been the best possible outcome, but I have just tried to improve every day, stay positive and happy," Trafford said. "Throughout the year it has been such a big learning experience."
Rebuilding the Elland Road squad
Trafford, who went to the World Cup with England as third-choice shot stopper and has won two senior caps, replenishes a goalkeeping department at Elland Road that lost Karl Darlow and Ilan Meslier this summer.
