Manchester City on Tuesday announced the return of goalkeeper James Trafford in a £27 million deal from Burnley, Afrosport reports.
The 22-year-old City Academy graduate finds his way back to the Etihad Stadium after two years with the Clarets, who he joined for £19m in July 2023.
Newcastle United were close to signing Trafford after tendering a £27m bid for the shot-stopper. However, City had a buy-back clause and matching rights in his previous deal, allowing them to tally the Magpies’ offer.
He has signed a five-year deal with City until 2030, with the option for a further year, and will wear the number one shirt during his time at the club.
“Rejoining City is such special and proud moment both for me and my family,” said Trafford, who previously spent eight years at City. “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 so 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.”
James Trafford returns to City! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3aANdYihks
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 29, 2025
Trafford has established himself as one of the most exciting young goalkeepers in Europe and has played 73 games for Burnley.
The England Under-21 international was in prime form last season, keeping 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship games as Scott Parker’s side secured promotion back to the Premier League.
Trafford, who was named in the Championship’s Team of the Season, is the fourth goalkeeper at manager City, alongside Ederson, Stefan Ortega and Marcus Bettinelli.
The young goalkeeper is the sixth summer for Pep Guardiola’s side after Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Sverre Nypan, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Bettinelli.
