Latest on Burnley Transfer News: Burnley Completes Signing of Goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City
Burnley Football Club has officially completed the signing of promising goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City. The 20-year-old shot-stopper has joined the Clarets on a four-year contract until the summer of 2027, with the transfer fee believed to be around £19 million.
Trafford expressed his excitement about joining Burnley, stating, “I feel very happy to officially be a Burnley player. I was excited for it to all get done whilst the Euros was going on. I want to improve and learn as much as I can here, and as a team, I just want to take it a day at a time and try and achieve as much as we can going forward.”
Vincent Kompany, Burnley’s manager, praised the young goalkeeper, saying, “We’ve signed an extremely talented young man. More than just a talent, he’s a great character. James is a very impressive, confident mature young man. We’re looking forward to developing him further and making him even better. He’s done so much already, and what excites us is how far he can go.”
Trafford came through Manchester City’s academy, but despite his talent, he didn’t make any senior appearances for the Premier League champions. However, he gained valuable first-team experience during an 18-month loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in League One. During his time with Bolton, Trafford kept 33 clean sheets in 74 appearances, including 22 shutouts in 47 League One games during the 2022-23 season.
The goalkeeper also showcased his skills on the international stage, particularly during England’s triumphant European Under-21 Championship campaign. Trafford kept six clean sheets in as many matches, including a last-minute penalty save in the final against Spain, securing a 1-0 victory for England.
At Burnley, Trafford will compete with Arijanet Muric for the number one goalkeeper position. The upcoming Premier League season will be an exciting opportunity for the young talent, as he could make his debut against his former club, Manchester City, in the opening fixture on August 11.
