Leeds United transfer news: James Trafford agrees deal for club-record move from Man City

Leeds United transfer news: James Trafford agrees deal for club-record move from Man City | Football News

• August 6, 2026 • 2 min read • 10 • 👍 0 👎 0 0

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.

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.