Leeds complete James Trafford signing from Man City

Last Updated : 23-Aug-2026 by Kevin Markey

Leeds United have completed the signing of goalkeeper JamesTrafford from Manchester City.

The 23-year-old has moved to Elland Road for a fee which could reach £45m ($60.5m).

Sources have advised that the deal guarantees City £40m ($53.8m). City have also negotiated a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights as part of the agreement.

The fee represents a record for a British goalkeeper, eclipsing the £30m ($40.4m) Everton paid Sunderland for Jordan Pickford n 2017. It is also a club-record fee paid by Leeds.

With the deal for Trafford complete, City are set to push ahead with a move for Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli

Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival last summer has played a big part in Trafford's decision to move to Leeds.

He re-joined City from Burnley 12 months ago, but was limited to just four Premier League appearances after Donnarumma was signed from Paris Saint-Germain.

Trafford, who was part of England's World Cup squad along with fellow goalkeepers Pickford and Dean Henderson, moves having collected winners' medals in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup last season.

He played in both domestic cup competitions as Pep Guardiola ended his 10-year reign at the club with two trophies.