James Trafford seals £45million Man City exit just one year after England star returned to Etihad

JAMES TRAFFORD has left Manchester City for a second time – joining Leeds for a deal worth up to £45million. The England keeper came through the ranks at the Etihad but left three years ago to join north-west rivals Burnley in a £19m deal. James Trafford has joined Leeds in a transfer worth up to £45m Credit: PA The goalkeeper was an unused member of England’s 2026 World Cup squad Credit: Getty Last summer, he returned to City for £27m and expected to be the number one after Ederson moved to Turkey. However, City swooped to sign Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day and Trafford, 23, spent most of the season on the bench. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Trafford did play in the domestic cups though and helped Pep Guardiola’s men win both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. However, he wanted regular first-team football to boost his hopes of replacing Jordan Pickford as England’s first-choice keeper in the long-term. Leeds have been able to offer that after Karl Darlow – who played in goal during the final few months of the season – left on a free transfer. His boyhood club will receive 20 per cent of any future profit and will also have matching rights on any bids that come in for him – so another spell at City is not yet out of the question. Enzo Maresca’s men are hoping to sign Marseille keeper Geronimo Rulli – who was previously on their books – as Donnarumma’s deputy ahead of the new season. Elsewhere, Jeremy Doku has become the latest player to commit his future to City. Most read in Football The Belgium international winger penned a five-year deal which will keep him at the Etihad until 2031 with the option of a further year. Phil Foden, Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol have already given new boss Enzo Maresca a boost by signing up. And Doku’s contract is expected to be officially confirmed when he returns to training at the City Football Academy next week. The 24-year-old has become one of the most dangerous wide men in the Prem since arriving from Rennes in a £55m deal three years ago. His game developed under Pep Guardiola’s coaching and he was a key player last year as City won the domestic cup double. Maresa is expected to rely heavily on getting the ball to wingers in his first season in charge so Doku is likely to be an integral part of his plans. He could yet look to sign a new wide player this summer – with a swoop on old club Chelsea for Pedro Neto one option. However, that could hinge on whether Tottenham are able to agree a fee for Savinho, who has indicated he is keen on a move to North London. Comment now