James Trafford signs for Leeds United

Leeds United are delighted to confirm the signing of James Trafford, who joins the Whites from Manchester City on a five-year deal for an undisclosed, club record fee.

The 23-year-old England international arrives as our third permanent addition of the summer transfer window, after the acquisitions of Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemović, and becomes the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.

A regular for his country through the youth ranks, culminating in a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, the 6ft 3’ stopper makes the switch from the Etihad Stadium, where he featured 17 times last campaign in all competitions, including in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Trafford started his career with the Citizens, progressing up the age groups before making valuable loan switches to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers. Standout performances and a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for League One saw Trafford secure a move to Burnley.

In the second tier, Trafford excelled as the Clarets did battle with the Whites in the race for promotion. The stopper made Sky Bet Championship history in February 2025, breaking the record for the most consecutive clean sheets in a season with 12.

After 33 games, the keeper had only conceded nine times – the fewest in English football history at that point of the season. Throughout the entirety of the campaign, Burnley only shipped 16 goals over 46 games, the fewest in the history of the Football League, as they were promoted alongside ourselves to the Premier League.

After collecting the Golden Glove Award and being named the PFA Championship Player of the Year, Trafford then made the switch back to Manchester City for a record British goalkeeper transfer fee, which has since been broken once more, as he joins the Whites.

Returning to the Etihad, he would earn the top-flight’s Save of the Month award for August as he dramatically saved a close range shot from Jan Paul van Hecke, before going on to then keep a clean sheet in the Carabao Cup Final as City defeated Arsenal 2-0, becoming the second-youngest goalkeeper to do so.

The Englishman then crowned his return campaign with Manchester City with a cup double, as he started in the FA Cup Final for City’s victory over Chelsea in May 2026.

Alongside a fruitful career domestically so far, Trafford also progressed through the Three Lions’ ranks and was included in Lee Carsley’s England Under-21s squad for the 2023 Under-21s European Championships after aiding the side to qualification.

More history followed as Trafford became the first goalkeeper to keep six clean sheets in the tournament, even saving a stoppage-time penalty in the final against Spain as England lifted the trophy!

The stopper’s senior Three Lions debut came against Uruguay in a friendly at Wembley Stadium before then being selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup a few months later.

Everyone at Leeds United would like to welcome James to the club.