Leeds sign England goalkeeper Trafford for club-record fee

Leeds United transfer news: James Trafford agrees deal for club-record move from Man City James Trafford signs five-year deal to join Leeds from Manchester City; initial £40m move represents club-record fee for Leeds; 23-year-old played 17 times for Man City last term, keeping eight clean sheets Thursday 6 August 2026 19:00, UK Leeds United have signed goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in a club-record deal. Sky Sports News understands that the five-year deal for the England international is worth an initial £40m plus add-ons, a record for an English goalkeeper. Leeds' previous record-signing was Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim for around £35.5m in January 2023. Finding a new first-choice goalkeeper has been a priority for Leeds this summer after Karl Darlow's exit and an unconvincing debut season for Lucas Perri. - Transfer Centre LIVE! | Leeds news & transfers ⚪ - Leeds fixtures & scores | FREE Leeds highlights▶️ - Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱 - Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 Perri, who was dropped by boss Daniel Farke last season, and third-choice Alex Cairns are the only senior goalkeepers currently on Leeds' books. Trafford takes Leeds' spending to north of £70m in this window and is expected to leave the way for Perri to join Torino on loan with an option to buy. The 23-year-old was Leeds' top goalkeeper target heading into the summer and they hope he can bring stability to what has been a problem position for some time. Leeds' summer business In Harry Wilson - Fulham, free Tarik Muharemovic - Sassuolo, £34m James Trafford - £40m Out Pascal Struijk - Brighton, £18m Karl Darlow - Manchester United, free Illan Meslier - Arsenal, free Harry Gray - Sheffield Wednesday, loan Isaac Schmidt - Young Boys, undisclosed Jack Harrison - New England Revolution, undisclosed [Image text:] RedBu Hisense RedB Hisem RedBull "WR RedBoll Hiser RedBull VLU $LUV RedBull Hisense Burflex VLUN Bull RedBull RedBull QLUV Burflex RedBull Bull Heineken