Leeds United have beaten the big drum. The club has completed the signing of James Trafford from Manchester City – for a staggering sum that sends the waves high at Elland Road.
The young England goalkeeper has signed a five-year contract, and the transfer fee is £40 million – plus add-on clauses. It is not only a club record for Leeds, but also a record for an English goalkeeper overall.
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Thus, Trafford is more expensive than Georginio Rutter, who previously held the record with his £35.5 million from Hoffenheim in January 2023.
Goalkeeper crisis solved – finally
Securing a new first-choice goalkeeper has been at the top of Leeds’ wish list all summer. After Karl Darlow left the club and Lucas Perri delivered a very uncertain debut season, the goalkeeper position has been a major concern for manager Daniel Farke.
Perri was even benched last year, and with only third goalkeeper Alex Cairns as an option, it was high time to act. Now Leeds have done just that – with interest.
Trafford, who is 23 years old, made 17 appearances for Manchester City last season and kept eight clean sheets. Now Leeds hope that he can bring calm and stability to a position that has been a sore point for far too long.
Million-dollar trade and more changes
The purchase of Trafford means that Leeds’ total summer spending now exceeds £70 million. At the same time, Perri is expected to be loaned out to Turin with an option to buy – a transfer that makes room for the new star in the cage.
Leeds’ summer so far:
In:
- Harry Wilson – Fulham (free)
- Tarik Muharemovic – Sassuolo (£34m)
- James Trafford – Manchester City (£40m)
Out:
- Pascal Struijk – Brighton (£18m)
- Karl Darlow – Manchester United (free)
- Illan Meslier – Arsenal (free)
- Harry Gray – Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
- Isaac Schmidt – Young Boys (unannounced)
- Jack Harrison – New England Revolution (unknown sum)
A new era at Elland Road?
With Trafford in goal, new reinforcements behind them and a clear commitment from the club, Leeds are sending a strong signal: They are ready to fight – both on and off the pitch. The question is whether the young goalkeeper can become the mainstay they so desperately need.
On Thursday, the big Premier League transfer of Antonio Nusa moved closer
