Following the conclusion of his 18-month loan spell with Bolton, James Trafford is on the verge of signing for newly promoted Premier League side Burnley for what is anticipated to be a club-record fee.
Manchester City have reportedly agreed to sell Trafford for an initial fee in the region of £14m and another £5m in add-ons to bring the total value of the transfer to £19m. City have included a buy-back option as part of the deal. Should Trafford complete the move, his first competitive match will be against City as the Clarets host the treble winners at Turf Moor on the opening day of the season.
Showing off his talents on the international stage
Bolton fans are no stranger to James Trafford’s talents after the 20-year-old goalkeeper kept a club-record 26 clean sheets in all competitions last season – but now, the highly-rated shot-stopper is winning plaudits on the international stage as part of England’s U21 team.
The young lions have progressed to the semi-final stage of the U21 Euros after winning all four games so far, with Trafford starting and keeping clean sheets in each fixture of the competition so far.
James Trafford’s time at Bolton
James Trafford joined Bolton as a fresh-faced 19-year-old in January 2022 after a previous loan spell with Accrington Stanley.
The young goalkeeper made a historic start to his time with the Trotters, keeping four clean sheets in his first four matches and would quickly go on to cement his place as Ian Evatt’s first-choice keeper.
Trafford’s shot-stopping antics helped Wanderers secure a playoff spot in the league last season and earn Bolton’s first piece of silverware in 34 years as the team lifted the Papa John’s Trophy.
Before returning to his parent club in May 2023, Trafford featured in a total of 85 games for Bolton, keeping an eye-watering 35 clean sheets in that time – meaning he kept a clean sheet in 41.2% of matches played.