Burnley have completed the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in a deal worth £19m.
The 20-year-old completed his medical yesterday after returning from holiday and is Burnley’s fourth signing of the summer.
Trafford, who never made an appearance for his boyhood side, came through the ranks at City and featured prominently in the side’s youth teams.
The goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One, where he kept 26 clean sheets in 52 games in all competitions.
He also played a starring role in England under-21’s European Championship-winning side earlier this summer, going through the entirety of the tournament without conceding a goal and saving a last-gasp penalty in the final against Spain.
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Why did Burnley sign Trafford?
Analysis by The Athletic’s Burnley and Liverpool reporter Andy Jones.
Burnley are sold on the talent and potential and were willing to pay an initial fee that equals the club’s record transfer spend on an individual.
Supporters got a chance to see the youngster in action during England’s triumphant Under-21 European Championship campaign, with Trafford becoming the first goalkeeper to keep six clean sheets in a single edition of the competition, capped off with a memorable double save from an injury time penalty in the final against Spain.
They see Trafford as an exciting, up-and-coming goalkeeper who has plenty of room to develop and grow but can also make them better immediately.
Kompany has plenty of contacts at Manchester City and no doubt the reports will have helped convince them the risk is worth taking.
GO DEEPER
James Trafford has only played in League One – so why is he worth £19m to Burnley?
(Photo: Getty Images)
