Leeds complete £45m James Trafford signing from Manchester City

Lead

Leeds United have completed the signing of England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City, with the Premier League also listing the transfer as completed. Source 1Source 3 The deal is reported to be worth up to £45 million and has been described as a club-record fee for Leeds. Source 1

What happened

Trafford, 23, is an England international who was in the squad for the 2026 World Cup but did not play. Source 1 He has left Manchester City a year after returning there from Burnley in a £27 million move during the previous summer. Source 1 Last season, Trafford made 17 appearances for City, including four in the Premier League. Source 1 He also contributed to Manchester City’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes during that campaign. Source 1

The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City in September reduced Trafford’s prospects of becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Source 1 Before his return to City, Trafford enjoyed a productive Championship spell at Burnley, conceding 16 goals in 45 appearances as the side secured promotion. Source 1 Manchester City will retain a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights in any future sale of Trafford. Source 1

Why it matters

Leeds have made the move after the summer departures of their previous goalkeepers, Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier. Source 1Source 2 The club finished 14th in the 2025–26 Premier League with 47 points from 38 matches. Source 4 Leeds conceded 56 league goals and kept eight clean sheets across that season. Source 4Source 5 Their defensive record was notably split between home and away fixtures, with 21 goals conceded at Elland Road and 35 away from home. Source 5

The reported £45 million price would set a new record fee for a British goalkeeper, exceeding the £30 million Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017. Source 1 Only Kepa Arrizabalaga and Alisson have commanded higher transfer fees among goalkeepers, at £68 million and £62 million respectively. Source 1 Trafford’s 45 Championship appearances for Burnley provide recent experience of a promotion campaign, while his 17 City appearances last season include exposure to domestic cup-winning sides. Source 1

What’s next

Leeds’ scheduled pre-season programme continues against RB Leipzig on 8 August, Manchester United on 12 August and Augsburg on 15 August. Source 6 Their Premier League campaign is then scheduled to begin away to Nottingham Forest on 22 August. Source 6 Leeds’ first scheduled home league match is against Brentford on 30 August. Source 7

Notes

The fee has been reported as up to £45 million, rather than as a fixed final total. Source 1 Manchester City’s retained 20% sell-on clause and matching rights mean they will retain protections in relation to any future Trafford transfer. Source 1 The Premier League’s official transfers page lists Trafford’s move from Manchester City to Leeds, while the reported fee details come from BBC Sport. Source 1Source 3