James Trafford has officially returned to Manchester City, completing a permanent transfer from Burnley earlier this week in a landmark move for both club and country.The 22-year-old sealed his comeba...
James Trafford has officially returned to Manchester City, completing a permanent transfer from Burnley earlier this week in a landmark move for both club and country.
The 22-year-old sealed his comeback to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with exclusive images captured throughout a full day of media duties at the City Football Academy alongside close family and his representatives, as well as Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana.
Images from the day show Trafford proudly posing in City’s new home kit for the 2025/26 campaign, holding aloft his newly confirmed No.1 shirt – a symbolic moment as the club looks to the future in the goalkeeping department.
He was also pictured alongside the aforementioned Viana during the formalities of signing his five-year agreement, before sitting down for his first official interview with Manchester City’s in-house media team.
The transfer sees Trafford become the most expensive British goalkeeper of all-time, with the total deal believed to be worth around £31 million when factoring in add-ons and a sell-on clause that helped Manchester City offset part of the cost. It marks a full-circle moment for the Cumbrian shot-stopper, who came through City’s youth academy before departing for Burnley in 2023.
Trafford’s stock has risen considerably over the past few seasons, thanks in part to a standout loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, a strong start at Turf Moor under Vincent Kompany, and eye-catching performances for England at youth level.
His return to Manchester City underlines the club’s continued commitment to investing in young domestic talent with elite potential, particularly as the future of senior goalkeepers like Ederson and Stefan Ortega remains uncertain heading into the final weeks of the window.
While the path to first-team minutes will be competitive, Trafford’s return to familiar surroundings – and a coaching environment that helped nurture his early career – offers a promising platform for growth in the seasons ahead.
After James Trafford penned his return to Manchester City this week, here is a complete behind-the-scenes look at his first day back at the City Football Academy!
Category: General Sports
