Trafford Returns to Man City in £27m Shock Move from Burnley

Manchester City have re-signed James Trafford for £27m from newly-promoted Burnley .

Trafford joins on a five-year deal after rejecting Newcastle to return to his former club, with City possessing the option to extend it for a further season.

City, who sold the 22-year-old to Burnley two years ago, activated the matching rights clause they put in that deal when Newcastle agreed a fee with the promoted club.

And Trafford, a long-term target for Eddie Howe , decided against going to St James’ Park in favour of a move to the former Premier League champions - the latest blow in what has been a frustrating transfer window for the Magpies, having already lost out in their pursuits of Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo , Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.

“Rejoining City is such a special and proud moment both for me and my family. I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City ,” said Trafford.

“This is the place I call home – it’s a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.

“I am also very excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work under Pep and with such a world-class group of players.

“I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving – and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be.

“I will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success.”

James Trafford admits it was always his dream to return to Manchester City (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Trafford has been brought in to provide healthy competition to Ederson , who City believe will stay, despite suggestions in Turkey that he has agreed personal terms with Galatasaray . Ederson has entered the last year of his contract but remains a favourite of Pep Guardiola .

However, City expect his arrival to lead to the departure of Stefan Ortega. While the German is not close to a move, City anticipate there will be interest and that Ortega will not want to be the third-choice goalkeeper.

Trafford becomes the fifth signing of City’s summer, joining midfielders Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and back-up goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

He has taken their summer spending up to around £140m and their total expenditure in 2025 past £300m.