Sixth most expensive goalkeeper in Premier League history
©IMAGO
Just two years after leaving the Etihad for regular first-team opportunities, James Trafford has made a return to Manchester City this summer. The England U21 goalkeeper, who transferred to Burnley in 2023, is now set to rejoin the Sky Blues as Pep Guardiola looks to revamp his goalkeeping options. With Ederson’s future uncertain and Stefan Ortega reportedly on the move, Trafford’s return could indicate a reshuffling of the goalkeeping hierarchy. His composure, distribution, and shot-stopping skills have long been praised at City. Trafford currently has a market value of €22 million.
Manchester City holds a €40 million buy-back clause for Trafford but has agreed on a deal with Burnley for €31.2 million, making him the sixth most expensive goalkeeper ever in the Premier League. During his first season at Turf Moor, Trafford faced challenges, including notable mistakes while Vincent Kompany’s side struggled to play out from the back, resulting in relegation. However, last season in the Championship, he demonstrated his abilities by breaking the record for clean sheets in the division. Transfermarkt provides an in-depth look at the transfer, Trafford’s progress since leaving City, and the implications for the champions’ goalkeeping future.
James Trafford’s Clean Sheet Record in the Championship
During last season’s successful promotion campaign from the Championship, Burnley’s defense played a pivotal role in their victory. The team not only set but shattered the record for the fewest goals conceded in a single Championship season. As shown in the graphic above, Trafford conceded only 16 goals in 46 matches—a remarkable feat. While the Championship levels may not mirror the Premier League’s, it remains a highly competitive league, and Trafford’s accomplishment, along with Burnley’s, is commendable.
As highlighted above, Trafford also set the record for the most clean sheets in a single Championship season. Impressive for a 22-year-old, he recorded 29 clean sheets, surpassing the previous record of 24, held by Dorus de Vries at Swansea in 2009/10 and John Ruddy at Wolves in 2017/18. Since leaving Manchester City, Trafford has evolved significantly, but stepping into Ederson’s shoes upon his return to the Etihad will be a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that Trafford is among the best young goalkeepers in the country, and this transfer also strikes a significant blow to Newcastle, who had shown interest in him this summer.
