Trafford: I’m 100 times better now! | OneFootball

James Trafford says his time at other clubs has been invaluable in him helping him improve as a player and as a person.

The goalkeeper has completed a return to Manchester City, after signing a five-year deal until June 2030 and will wear the No.1 shirt.

Trafford first joined City as a 12-year-old and worked his way through the Academy before joining up with the first-team squad.

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After loan moves to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers, he made a permanent move to Premier League rivals Burnley and after relegation, last season helped them back to the top-flight.

With more than 150 senior matches under his belt already, the 22-year-old says that getting so much game time and experience has been huge.

“I’m a lot older and miles more experienced,” he said in his first interview after completing the move.

“I’m 100 times better and I’ve improved in every aspect as a person and as a player.

“It's obviously helped me, but throughout my time away from the Club I've had all different experiences.

WATCH: Trafford: I’m proud of my journey back to City

“I've had the relegation with Burnley, I had the promotion, I had the one at Bolton where we were trying to get in the play-offs. So yeah I've had all the experiences and nothing will be a surprise to me.”

Trafford first move was League One Accrington Stanley in 2021 with the Club finishing midtable despite being one of the smallest clubs in the division.

The move came shortly after he was part of City squad for the Champions League final against Chelsea and he said the change in environment was beneficial.

“Accrington was brilliant,” he said. “It was the polar opposite to when I was here.

“I went from the Champions League final to Accrington within two or three weeks and it couldn't have been further apart. Accrington was brilliant for me in the 11 games I played.

WATCH: James Trafford signs for City

“And then I went to Bolton and really got my feet under the table and lived every day and developed so much. The loans were fantastic for me and I made so many memories.”

Trafford has made impressive progression a short time and earned a call-up to the England squad from new coach Thomas Tuchel.

And he had impressive season helping Burnley back to promotion – keeping a record-equalling 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals as the Clarets bounced back at the first attempt.

“The season as a whole was amazing,” he added. “The group that we had, the manager, the staff, it was brilliant.

“The records are nice but the main thing is we got promoted and everyone played their part in achieving that.”