Trafford return?
Trafford Set for City Return in £27m Move from Burnley
Manchester City are on the verge of re-signing goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley in a deal worth £27 million.
22 year-old Trafford, joined City’s academy from Carlisle United at the age of 12 and progressed steadily through the ranks. He featured regularly for the club’s youth sides and was part of the under-18 squad that won the Premier League North title in 2019–20. Though he never made a senior appearance during his first spell, he trained regularly with the first team and was regarded internally as a calm, technically gifted keeper with strong distribution.
His development accelerated through loan spells, first at Accrington Stanley and then at Bolton Wanderers, where he stood out with a run of consistent performances in League One. Those stints earned him a permanent move to Burnley, where he made an immediate impact.
In his first full Championship season, Trafford kept 29 clean sheets in 45 games and conceded only 16 goals. Burnley secured promotion at the first attempt, finishing second behind Leeds United.
When City sold Trafford, they inserted a £40 million buy-back clause as part of a deal that could rise to £19 million. Their current offer is expected to come in well below that figure, though it matches interest shown by Newcastle United. Trafford was understood to have had the choice between the two clubs and opted for a return to Manchester.
He will sign a five-year contract, with the option of an additional year, and will join a goalkeeping group currently led by Ederson. The Brazilian is entering the final 12 months of his deal and has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, though no formal approach has been made.
Trafford’s return gives City a homegrown option between the posts—someone who knows the club, has grown since leaving, and now looks ready to step into a bigger stage.
