James Trafford signs five-year Leeds deal in club-record transfer | OneFootball

Leeds United have confirmed the club-record signing of goalkeeper James Trafford, who has agreed a five-year contract at Elland Road. The 23-year-old is the club’s third arrival of the summer.

The club said in a statement that Trafford becomes the most expensive British goalkeeper in history, joining from Manchester City after featuring 17 times last season, including in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Trafford had been closing in on the switch for several weeks and, with his post-World Cup break ending, returned to the UK for medical tests. Those were completed this week before the formal announcement.

He came through City’s ranks and had loans at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before moving to Burnley. In the Championship he set a record of 11 consecutive clean sheets in February 2025, and Burnley and Leeds were promoted. Burnley conceded 16 goals across 46 games, the fewest in Football League history.

Leeds targeted a clear first-choice goalkeeper this summer. Karl Darlow accepted a move to Manchester United after new terms came without first-team guarantees, while Illan Meslier left for Arsenal.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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