Manchester City have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley. City have re-signed the 22-year-old two years after allowing him to move to Turf Moor in a £14million deal. The Blues had a buy-back clause and also matching rights, meaning any offer from another club had to be put to City. Newcastle have been long-term admirers of Trafford and having made a move to sign him last summer, rekindled that interest this.
The Magpies made a £27m bid for James Trafford and City matched the offer. The stopper has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad, with the option of an extra 12 months, and is expected to challenge Ederson for the number one spot. City’s goalkeeping department has already been freshened up this summer following the signing of Marcus Bettinelli after Scott Carson’s six-year association with the club came to an end. The arrival of Trafford means further change is on the horizon, with Stefan Ortega now expected to leave the club.
James Trafford will challenge Ederson for a starting role at the Etihad, though the Brazil international’s future has also been brought into question this summer. The 31-year-old’s camp are understood to have held talks with Galatasaray over a potential transfer, but no official approach has yet been made. Ederson was close to an exit last summer when the Saudi Pro League expressed interest.
“Re-joining City is such a special and proud moment both for me and my family,” said James Trafford. “I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City.
“This is the place I call home – it’s a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.
“I am also very excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work under Pep and with such a world-class group of players. I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving – and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be.
“I also cannot wait to play in front of the amazing City fans for the first time and will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success.”
