Manchester City have re-signed goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley in what is being described as a British record transfer fee for a goalkeeper.
City sources say the deal is worth £27 million plus add-ons, while Burnley claim the figure is closer to £31 million with additional clauses, surpassing the previous £30 million record Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017.
The 22-year-old City academy graduate initially joined Burnley in July 2023 for up to £19 million.
He had an impressive season at Turf Moor, keeping 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship games and playing a key role in the club’s return to the Premier League under Scott Parker.
His standout performances earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season.
City exercised a buy-back clause and matching rights following a £27 million bid from Newcastle, prompting Trafford to opt for a return to the Etihad. He has signed a five-year deal with an option for a sixth and will wear the number one shirt.
“Rejoining City is such a special and proud moment for me and my family,” Trafford said. “I always dreamed of returning, and I come back a hundred times better than when I left.”
City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, praised Trafford as “one of the most accomplished young goalkeepers in England” and backed him to become a top performer for both club and country.
Trafford will now compete with long-time City number one Ederson, Germany’s Stefan Ortega, and Marcus Bettinelli.
Ederson, who has been first-choice for eight years, is in the final year of his contract and has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, though no bids have been received.
Ortega’s future is also uncertain with increased competition following Trafford’s arrival.
Trafford originally joined City’s academy in 2015 but never made a senior appearance, spending loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers.
He made 73 appearances for Burnley, including 28 in the Premier League last season.
Internationally, Trafford has represented England at every youth level and was part of the Under-21 squad that won the 2023 European Championship, during which he didn’t concede a single goal. He earned his first senior call-up in 2024 but is yet to debut.
Trafford becomes City’s sixth signing of the summer window, following the arrivals of midfielders Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Sverre Nypan; left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri; and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
The club also spent £200 million in the January window to address injury concerns.
Though Trafford impressed with a league-best 30 clean sheets and an 85% save rate in the Championship, his distribution – a crucial trait in Pep Guardiola’s system – remains an area for development.
His pass completion rate of 70% lags behind Ederson and Ortega, reflecting Burnley’s more direct playing style.
Still, City believe his Premier League potential is undeniable.
Trafford is seen not only as a long-term successor to Ederson but also as a key piece in the next phase of the club’s evolution.
