Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is on the verge of rejoining Manchester City, his boyhood club, according to The Athletic. The 22-year-old is expected to sign a 5-year contract, with an optional additional year.
🚨 Manchester City to sign James Trafford from Burnley. Sold at £14m & purchasing for £27m so buy-back cost ~£13m. Activated matching rights on #NUFC offer & 22yo picked #MCFC - 5+1yr contract. Ederson staying, Ortega to go but nothing close @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/w3gJa6OJN2
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 25, 2025
From Burnley Hero to Etihad Comeback
Trafford played a pivotal role in Burnley’s impressive defensive record, helping the Clarets earn promotion to the Premier League. Across all competitions, the young shot-stopper contributed to 29 clean sheets and helped limit goals conceded to just 16 in the Championship-winning season. Despite being a City Academy graduate, Trafford never made a senior appearance for the club before being loaned to Bolton Wanderers and then sold to Burnley in a permanent move.
James Trafford led the Championship last season in:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 25, 2025
🧤 Clean sheets – 29
⛔ Goals prevented – 12.8
📈 Save success rate – 84.6%
💻 @WhoScored pic.twitter.com/e8ue4pBU1G
City Activates Buy-Back Clause After Newcastle Push
Though Newcastle United submitted a bid of nearly €31 million for Trafford, Manchester City had retained a priority matching clause when they sold him to Burnley for €17 million in 2023. The Premier League champions have now exercised that clause to bring him back.
Goalkeeping Shake-Up Looms at Manchester City
With Ederson expected to stay at the Etihad despite interest from Galatasaray, the return of Trafford could coincide with Stefan Ortega’s potential departure. Ortega is reportedly closer to an exit, opening space for Trafford to become City’s new No. 2, or even a long-term successor.
