Bio
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Academy graduate James Trafford returned to City in July 2025 after two seasons away from the Club.
After eight years progressing through our ranks and gaining vital experience on loan, the young shot stopper moved to Burnley.
There he played a season in the Premier League before a star turn in a momentous Championship promotion campaign.
In that time, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the most coveted young goalkeepers operating in Europe.
Having learnt the game at City, Trafford is instantly recognisable as a product of our way of playing.
A pinpoint passer of the ball and more than willing to sweep up behind the defence, Trafford’s incredible reflexes have also garnered attention.
He chalked up astonishing 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship matches in 2024/25, equalling the record number of shut outs in a season in English football – conceding just 16 goals along the way.
That haul included a run of 12 consecutive clean sheets between December and February, a remarkable feat which saw the Cumbrian native create another Championship record.
He was subsequently named in the Championship Team of the Year.
On the international stage, Trafford’s penalty save at the death of the 2023 U21 European Championship final earned England the crown and universal acclaim.
He has since enjoyed call-ups to the senior squad and will now be targeting his first cap.
In the meantime, the exciting prospect is looking forward to working alongside some of the best in the business at City.
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