Manchester City completes historic transfer

Manchester City confirm James Trafford's move to Leeds

Manchester City have officially completed the transfer of 23-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford to Leeds. The total value of the deal, including bonuses, is £45 million (around €52 million), of which £40 million is a guaranteed fee. Trafford has signed a five-year contract with Leeds, making him the most expensive British goalkeeper in football history.

Transfer details and records:

* **Historical record:** According to Fichajes.net, Trafford has broken the £30 million British goalkeeper transfer record set by Jordan Pickford in 2017.

* **World ranking:** Trafford is only behind Kepa Arrizabalaga (€72 million), Alisson Becker (€67 million) and Andre Onana (€47.2 million) in the list of most expensive goalkeepers.

* **Manchester City's profit:** The City club repurchased Trafford from Burnley a year ago for £27 million. As a result, Manchester City made a net profit of £18 million from the transfer.

* **Future terms:** Manchester City retained 20% of the proceeds from the player's next transfer and acquired the right of first refusal to repurchase him.

Trafford's Manchester City stats:

In the 2025/26 season, Trafford played in 17 games for Manchester City:

* He kept 8 clean sheets;

* Conceded 13 goals;

* Won the FA Cup and League Cup.

Although he was a regular in the Premier League at the start of the season, he lost his place in the starting lineup after the transfer of Gianluigi Donnarumma and played mainly in cup competitions.

Trafford was also named in Thomas Tuchel's final England squad for the 2026 World Cup, but did not play during the tournament. Spanish club Betis was also interested in him.

James Trafford has already joined Daniel Farke's Leeds United and has begun training. He is expected to make his official debut for his new club on 22 August in the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.