Today's Edition
LONDON (PA Media/dpa)
Manchester City have agreed a deal to bring goalkeeper James Trafford back to the club from Burnley.
According to the PA news agency, Man City will pay £27 million ($36.2 million) for the England Under-21 international, beating Newcastle to his signing after activating a matching rights clause that was included when Trafford was sold to Burnley for £14 million in 2023.
Trafford joined City's academy at the age of 12 and preferred a return to the club over the Magpies, agreeing to a five-year contract that includes the option of a further 12 months.
Trafford's arrival could see German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, 32, depart in search of a regular starting spot, with the club keen on keeping regular number one Ederson despite speculation linking the Brazilian with a move away.
Trafford never made a first-team appearance for City in his first stint at the club, spending time on loan at Accrington and Bolton before former City captain Vincent Kompany signed him for Burnley in the summer of 2023 following their promotion to the Premier League.
He lost his starting place late in the season as Burnley struggled defensively on their way to relegation, but was nevertheless called into Gareth Southgate's England squad in March 2024 following an impressive under-21s career.
