James Trafford claims double success at 2025 PFA Awards in Manchester | OneFootball

Manchester City’s James Trafford has won big at the 2025 edition of the PFA Awards, claiming two prizes for his stellar performances with Burnley last season.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper was central to Burnley’s stunning Championship campaign in 2024/25, where Scott Parker’s side stormed to 100 points and secured promotion back to the Premier League.

James Trafford was widely praised for his consistency, composure, and commanding presence between the sticks, establishing himself as one of English football’s standout young goalkeepers.

In 45 league appearances, he kept 29 clean sheets – equalling the record for most shut-outs in a single English football season – and conceded just 16 goals in that time. That tally included an extraordinary run of 12 consecutive clean sheets between December and February, a new Championship record that underlined Burnley’s defensive resilience and Trafford’s vital role.

For Manchester City, Trafford’s rise has been one to watch closely. After joining as a youngster, he spent key development years out on loan at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers, with his time at Burnley following a permanent transfer from the Etihad proving transformative.

This summer, the England international returned to the Etihad Stadium as part of Pep Guardiola’s senior squad, with high expectations over how he will adapt to life back in Manchester.

Now, as revealed this week, James Trafford has been named Championship Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2025 PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, following an outstanding campaign at Burnley last season, helping the club to 100 points and promotion back to the Premier League.

Alongside his individual recognition, Trafford was also named in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Year, collecting the prizes at the awards gala held at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday 19 August.

Speaking of his success, Trafford told Manchester City’s official club website, “I’m very proud to collect these awards and of what we achieved last season. We consistently put in really good defensive performances and it was great to have been a part of that.

“I loved my time at Burnley and improved massively as a goalkeeper and as a person. I’m hoping to take all that into the new season now with Manchester City and looking forward to continuing my footballing journey.”

Looking ahead, Trafford’s development will be closely monitored, with Pep Guardiola’s squad already featuring Ederson and Stefan Ortega, but with the former’s long-term future uncertain amid interest from Galatasaray.

As for Stefan Ortega, the German is known to harbour ambitions of becoming a first-choice elsewhere, and as such the pathway could yet open for James Trafford to stake his claim for more senior minutes at the Etihad Stadium having made his competitive debut as the starting option in the Premier League opener against Wolves.

City supporters will be eager to see whether Trafford’s PFA Award-winning form can be transferred onto the top-level stage. His composure and clean sheet pedigree may prove valuable in cup competitions and during squad rotation, with a long-term vision for him to potentially become a successor in Manchester City’s goalkeeping department.

Either way, this recognition underlines just how far Trafford has come in the last 18 months – from loan spells in the Football League and various learning experiences, to standing tall as one of English football’s most promising young goalkeepers.