Burnley have signed goalkeeper, James Trafford from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee.
Trafford has signed a five-year contract with Burnley until June 2028 and becomes the Clarets’ second goalkeeper signing of this summer’s transfer window, with Lawrence Vigouroux having joined on a free transfer from Leyton Orient in June.
Jordan Beyer and Michael Obafemi meanwhile converted their loan deals into permanent transfers from Borussia Monchengladbach and Swansea City respectively.
Burnley have reportedly paid a £14m transfer fee plus agreed £5m in add-ons for Trafford, which takes the total transfer fee up to £19m for the 20 year-old who kept six clean sheets as England clinched a first UEFA Under-21s Euros title since 1984.
Man City in turn is alleged to have at least a £42m at minimum buy-back clause inserted within the transfer deal.
Speaking about his decision to join Burnley, Trafford commented: “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 knew a lot about it and I was waiting to get back to make it all official really.
“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.”
Manager, Vincent Kompany added: “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. Most people have seen what he’s achieved in his career so far and his level of talent.
“We’re looking forward to developing that even further. Making him even better. He’s done so much all ready and what excites us is how far he can go.”
Trafford began his career at his hometown club, Cockermouth FC before he went on to play for Carlisle United then Manchester City at youth level.
Trafford went on to enjoy a six-month loan spell at Accrington Stanley from July 2021 – January 2022 with 11 appearances, before he spent the second-half of 2021-22 season plus last campaign at Bolton Wanderers during which he managed 74 appearances in total for the Trotters.
During his time at Bolton, Trafford helped the team win 2022-23 EFL Trophy plus finish fifth in League One last season, despite suffering Play-Off semi-final heartbreak against Barnsley.
Trafford represents England at international youth level and was part of England’s squad at UEFA Under-21s Euros, where the Three Lions ended a 39-year wait as they clinched the title with victory over Spain in the Final, in which the 20 year-old keeper kept six clean sheets and made a double-save of a late penalty and rebound shot.
Trafford’s competitive debut for Burnley could come at Turf Moor against his former club – Man City on Friday 11 August, live on Sky Sports in a 8pm BST kick-off.
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