rewrite this title Man City re-sign England goalkeeper Trafford from Burnley

Manchester City have re-signed James Trafford from Premier League newcomers Burnley for £27million, despite reports claiming the fee would initially be higher than that.

It was believed that Trafford would become the most expensive English goalkeeper, but Jordan Pickford’s £30m move from Sunderland to Everton in 2017 holds the current record for that position.

Trafford follows Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli and Sverre Nypan as City’s summer transfer window signings.

James Trafford keeps Wilson Isidor waiting to take his penalty… and it pays off!

The scores stay level thanks to Trafford’s spot-kick save 🧤 pic.twitter.com/FdUxGjSFDj

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 17, 2025

Why have Man City re-signed James Trafford?

Trafford left the Etihad Stadium for Turf Moor in 2023 but City insisted on a re-signing option because of his long-term potential.

With uncertainty still surrounding the future of Ederson, Trafford could become City’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Galatasaray have reportedly held talks with Brazil international Ederson, although City are yet to indicate whether they wish to sell the 31-year-old, who has less than 12 months left on his contract.

Ederson has made 372 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side and is the most decorated goalkeeper in the club’s history.

Former City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver told BBC Radio Manchester earlier this month that he expects Ederson to leave.

“He’s set his standards so high, so last season and the Club World Cup were probably not at the standard he’d expect from himself,” said Weaver.

“But I don’t think this is a reaction and wanting to leave because of that. He’s into the last year of his deal and City don’t let players run their contracts down like this for players they really, really want to keep.

“You would imagine over the last year or so there has been talks with the hierarchy at City over extending his stay but for whatever reason that has not come to fruition.

“The fact City have let the situation creep into the last year of his contract gives the player a lot more power in deciding what he wants to do.

“The ideal situation for me is he stays at City but it’s looking increasingly likely that he will go.”

James Trafford stats

Trafford joined City as a 12-year-old in August 2015 and had a brief loan spell at Accrington Stanley in 2021/22 before joining Bolton Wanderers in January of that season, keeping clean sheets in each of his first four games.

He returned to Bolton the following season and kept 26 clean sheets as Wanderers reached the League One play-offs, earning a place in the third-tier team of the year.