by Cumbrian goalkeeper James Trafford completed his record train back to Manchester City – and mentioned the News & Star included!
The 22-year-old Star has returned from Burnley in a deal worth 27 million GBP-a record fee for a British goalkeeper.
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And part of the announcement of Trafford’s move in our meeting with the goalkeeper on the farm of his family in Greysouth a decade ago.
The City media team produced a photo of a 12-year Trafford training that was shown in City Training Kit, and asked him to sign it.
The goalkeeper (see below) quickly mentioned the image source as News & Star The photo taken by photographer Tom Kay to accompany our interview with Trafford and his parents James and Alison when he first came from Carlisle United’s Academy in 2015.
The goalkeeper also remembered that it was his father’s idea to pose for a photo on a tractor case.
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“It is the only time that it has ever been washed,” joked Trafford when he signed the photo.
Trafford was at Man City from 2015 to 2023 and then came to Burnley.
After playing for the Clarets and helping them win the Premier League, he returned to the Etihad Stadium two years later.
Trafford, which was appointed in the recent English cadres (Image: Pa)
Trafford, who worked in the last English senior cadres, will now strive to promote his first-class and international ambitions in City, where he joins the goalkeeper ranks, which includes Ederson, Stefan Ortega and Marcus Bettinelli.
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Trafford said with the official channels of City that it was “brilliant” to be back in the club.
“It was one of my goals since I was 12 years old – playing for MAN City,” he added.
“I always believed that one day I would be back and worked to reach this moment, and now I have to go on.”
Trafford enjoyed a record season from Clean Sheets in Burnley last season when she won an action from the championship.
Now he has concluded a five-year contract with City in a move, which also benefits from Carlisle United by being rejected by the youth of the Blues facility in the compensation structure of the Elite Player Performance.
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Trafford had been associated with Newcastle United in the summer, but City had a buyback clause for Trafford and also matching rights that made it possible for them to coordinate another club offer – and they made their move properly.
He added: “I am happy to see everyone [at City] Again and I can’t wait to get to work with all the boys and improve myself. “
The City’s Premier League season begins with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 16.
