Trafford completes Leeds move from Man City for £45m

James Trafford has joined Leeds United from Manchester City in a transfer valued at up to £45 million, according to BBC Sport. The 23-year-old England goalkeeper departs the Etihad just a year after City signed him from Burnley for £27 million last summer.

Trafford struggled for game time in Manchester despite making 17 appearances last season — only four in the Premier League — though he featured in City's Carabao Cup and FA Cup-winning campaigns. The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma in September ended his hopes of becoming City's first-choice keeper. At Burnley, he recorded 29 clean sheets and an 84.47% save ratio across 45 Championship appearances before City exercised their buy-back clause.

The move sets a new record fee for a British goalkeeper, surpassing Jordan Pickford's £30 million transfer to Everton in 2017. Only Kepa (£68m) and Alisson (£62m) have commanded higher fees. City retain a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights, while Daniel Farke's side fill the goalkeeper void left by the departures of Darlow and Meslier.