Premier League heavyweight Manchester City has probably ensured a new record transfer on the island.
The most recently troubled club of star coach Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday the return of the 22-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford by promoted FC Burnley. He receives a contract in Manchester by 2030.
For the young keeper, who had left his training club two years ago due to a lack of a prospect of game practice, a good amount of 31 million euros are due.
If the rumored figures apply, Trafford is now the most expensive British keeper ever.
So far, England’s national goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has held this record for its 28.5 million euros in switching from AFC Sunderland to Everton FC in summer 2017.
Video: Transfer tracker: Change at ManCity?
Trafford has also been in the line of Three Lions several times, but is still waiting for his debut under national coach Thomas Tuchel.
In Manchester he heats up the competition between the posts. So far, the number one was Brazilian Ederson, his representative of the German Stefan Ortega Moreno.
“James is already one of the best young goalkeepers in English football, and we are happy to welcome him to Manchester City,” said City’s sports director Hugo Viana. “It has all the characteristics that a top-class goalkeeper needs. We believe that it is ideal in this team and that the goalkeeper team will enrich with its quality.”
Return to Mancity for Trafford “A special and proud moment”
Trafford said: “The return to City is a very special and proud moment for me and my family. This is the place that I call my home – a very special football club with fantastic people who make it a unique place to work and play.”
Trafford only conceded 16 goals in 45 games in the past second division season and had a large part of Burnley’s direct return to the Premier League.