James Trafford signs for Leeds from Manchester City in deal worth up to £45m
James Trafford has signed for Leeds United from Manchester City in a transfer worth up to £45m, the move reported on 6 August 2026. The 23-year-old England goalkeeper leaves the Etihad a year after returning from Burnley.
Trafford rejoined Manchester City last summer in a £27m move from Burnley and was part of England's World Cup squad this summer but did not feature. He made 17 appearances for City last season, four of them in the Premier League, and featured in the club's Carabao Cup and FA Cup campaigns. Trafford’s opportunities at City were limited after the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma in September. Leeds have agreed the deal despite his restricted game time at Manchester City.
The signing sets a new British goalkeeper transfer record, surpassing the previous £30m fee Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017. The fee paid by Leeds makes Trafford one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history. Only Kepa Arrizabalaga (£68m) and Alisson (£62m) commanded higher fees, according to the figures in the report.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke appears prepared to pay a premium for a young goalkeeper despite Trafford's limited minutes at City. The move follows the departures of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier from Elland Road this summer. Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns remain on Leeds’ books. Perri lost his place to Darlow in the second half of last season and did not feature in the Premier League after the 4-3 defeat by Newcastle on 7 January.
Trafford's most prominent performances came at Burnley, where he conceded just 16 goals in 45 appearances. He recorded 29 clean sheets and an 84.47% save ratio in the campaign that helped Burnley secure promotion back to the Premier League in 2024-25. Former Clarets boss Scott Parker praised his turnaround at Turf Moor and described Trafford as "world class." Trafford has only played 32 top-flight games.
A Manchester City academy graduate, Trafford had loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before joining Burnley in 2023. He made 73 appearances for the Clarets before City activated their buy-back option last summer. City re-signed him prior to his single season back at the Etihad.
As part of the transfer to Leeds, Manchester City will retain a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights, meaning if they match a future offer for Trafford they will get first refusal on him. More than £80m has now been spent on Trafford in initial transfer fees.
