James Trafford worked his way up from the academy to Pep Guardiola’s first team. After several loan spells, the young goalkeeper signed with Burnley in 2023. Here, Trafford showed why City had wanted to go for him, as PFA Championship Player of the Year (2024/25). Last summer, the English goalkeeper was brought back to City, but here he got a surprise – which now sends him out of the club again. Leeds will take advantage of this.
Because after a few Premier League games as the first goalkeeper in the 2025/26 season, City signed the world’s best goalkeeper, Donnarumma. This meant the bench for Trafford. There were still games in the League Cup and FA Cup, both of which resulted in titles, but for an ambitious goalkeeper who wants to stand on the line for the Three Lions, another season on the bench in the league is out of the question.
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According to The Athletic , Trafford and Leeds are now in close dialogue about a transfer. Leeds are looking for a replacement for Karl Darlow, who left the club earlier this summer for Manchester United.
The club brought in Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri last summer, but he lost his place as first choice during the season to Karl Darlow. Therefore, Leeds are looking for a new first choice between the sticks, and here they are said to have pointed out James Trafford.
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The City goalkeeper made 17 appearances last season across all competitions, providing Leeds with an up-and-coming goalkeeper, with the potential to take the place of England’s first-choice goalkeeper in the future.
Leeds have to shell out around £35 million, but this is a goalkeeper the giant City defined a year ago as fit for the first goalkeeper job. We call it a warp for the gang from Elland Road.
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