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Goalkeeper James Trafford has officially returned to Manchester City after the Premier League club triggered a £27.5 million buy-back clause to re-sign the 22-year-old from Burnley.
Trafford, an England youth international, initially left City in 2023 without having made a senior appearance for the club. He joined Burnley, where he endured a difficult debut season as the Clarets suffered relegation from the top flight.
However, the young shot-stopper bounced back impressively, equalling an English football record by keeping 29 clean sheets last season — a key factor in Burnley’s immediate return to the Premier League.
“This is the place I call home,” Trafford said in a club statement. “It’s a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.
“I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving – and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help me become the best goalkeeper I can be.
“I will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success.”
Trafford will wear the number one shirt and is expected to compete with Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson for the starting role, especially after manager Pep Guardiola opted to bench the long-time number one in favour of Stefan Ortega on several occasions last season.
Trafford becomes City’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window, joining Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki, and Sverre Nypan. The club will be aiming to close the gap on last season’s champions Liverpool, after finishing third in their quest for a fifth consecutive league title.
