James Harrington Trafford (born 10 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Burnley.[3]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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Full name | James Harrington Trafford[1] | |||||||||||||
Date of birth | [2] | 10 October 2002|||||||||||||
Place of birth | Cockermouth, England[2] | |||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.97 m)[2] | |||||||||||||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||
Team information | ||||||||||||||
Current team | Burnley | |||||||||||||
Number | 1 | |||||||||||||
Youth career | ||||||||||||||
Cockermouth | ||||||||||||||
Carlisle United | ||||||||||||||
2015–2021 | Manchester City | |||||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||
2021–2023 | Manchester City | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||
2021–2022 | → Accrington Stanley (loan) | 11 | (0) | |||||||||||
2022 | → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 22 | (0) | |||||||||||
2022–2023 | → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 45 | (0) | |||||||||||
2023– | Burnley | 49 | (0) | |||||||||||
International career‡ | ||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | England U17 | 7 | (0) | |||||||||||
2019 | England U18 | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||
2019 | England U19 | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||
2021–2022 | England U20 | 5 | (0) | |||||||||||
2022– | England U21 | 19 | (0) | |||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:58, 21 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:00, 12 October 2024 (UTC) |
Early life
editTrafford grew up in Greysouthen in a farming family.[4] He was a Chelsea fan.[4] He attended Cockermouth School and St Bede's College.[4] He learned to drive on a tractor[5] and in his early career he would return to help out on the family farm in the off-season.[6]
Club career
editManchester City
editTrafford began his career with Cockermouth and Carlisle United, signing with Manchester City in August 2015 at the age of 12.[4] At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine.[6]
He moved on loan to Accrington Stanley in July 2021.[7] This loan was later described as "challenging" due to injuries and losing his first-team place.[6]
Trafford signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers on 13 January 2022, until the end of the 2021–22 season.[8] He kept four clean sheets in his first four games, the first time a goalkeeper had done so in Bolton's entire history.[9][10][5]
On 15 June 2022, Trafford rejoined Bolton on loan for a further season.[11][12] In July 2022, he signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City.[13] By October he was noted for his clean sheets,[14] and Trafford broke Bolton's record for consecutive home clean sheets on 4 February, with the 1–0 win over Cheltenham Town being his eighth in a row.[15][16][17] He was able to extend the record to nine,[18][5] though was unable to have it reach double figures as on 25 February he conceded against Port Vale in a 2–1 win, the first time since 2 December.[19] On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final and kept a clean sheet in 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle.[20] Trafford's clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Shrewbury Town on 22 April was his 25th of the season, which broke the record for the most clean sheets by a Bolton goalkeeper in one season.[21][22] He finished the season with a total of 26 clean sheets.[5] He helped Bolton qualify for the play-offs, though they were defeated by Barnsley in the semi-finals.[23] He was voted as Bolton's Young Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season, together with Conor Bradley.[24][25] His performances during the season saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year for League One.[26] He said his time at Bolton turned him from a "long, skinny boy" into a "long, skinny man".[27]
Burnley
editOn 3 July 2023, it was announced that a £15 million transfer fee had been agreed between Manchester City and Burnley for Trafford.[28] With add-ons, the deal could reach a total of £19 million — which if met would break Burnley's transfer record.[5] On 20 July 2023, Trafford's move to Burnley was officially completed.[29][30] Due to their sell-on clause, Carlisle United got 15% of the fee for around £2.25m.[31] He became the third most expensive British goalkeeper in history.[32]
He made his Burnley and Premier League debut on 11 August 2023, in a 3–0 home defeat to his former club Manchester City.[33] He earned high praise after Man of the Match performance in a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 9 December in which he made 10 saves.[34][35]
International career
editTrafford played his first international match of his career for England U17 on 24 March 2018 against Croatia U17 in which he saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw despite England being down to ten men.[36] He made a further six appearances for the U17 including one appearance at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, then played twice for England U18, and once for England U19.[37]
On 6 September 2021, Trafford made his debut for the England U20s during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park.[38]
On 25 May 2022, Trafford received his first call up to the England U21 squad ahead of the final round of 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches.[39] Trafford made his debut in the 5–0 win away to Kosovo.[40]
On 14 June 2023, Trafford was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[41] He did not concede a goal during the tournament in six matches,[5] the first time a goalkeeper had done this in the tournament's history,[42] and saved a stoppage-time penalty and its rebound in the final against Spain as England won the game 1–0.[43] His mentality was praised by England under-21 manager Lee Carsley.[44] It was later reported that Trafford had told friends that he would save a penalty that game.[32]
Following an injury to Sam Johnstone in March 2024, Trafford received his first call up to the senior squad for a friendly against Belgium.[45][46] He was selected to England's provisional 33-member squad for Euro 2024.[47] On 6 June 2024, he was dropped from the final 26-man squad.[48]
Style of play
editHe spent his early career as an outfield player.[4] At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age 9.[6] He has been praised for his reflexes and distribution.[49] He is noted for his ability to get clean sheets, breaking multiple records with Bolton Wanderers[14][5][15][21] and winning the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship without conceding a goal.[5][43][42]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 21 December 2024
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Manchester City U23 | 2020–21[50] | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
Manchester City | 2021–22[51] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2022–23[52] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Accrington Stanley (loan) | 2021–22[51] | League One | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 2021–22[51] | League One | 22 | 0 | — | — | — | 22 | 0 | |||
Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 2022–23[52] | League One | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[b] | 0 | 52 | 0 |
Burnley | 2023–24[53] | Premier League | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 0 | |
2024–25[54] | Championship | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 | 0 | ||
Total | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | ||
Career total | 127 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 136 | 0 |
- ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ Four appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
Honours
editBolton Wanderers
England U21
Individual
- Bolton Wanderers Young Player of the Year: 2022–23 (shared)[24]
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2023[56]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 League One[26]
References
edit- ^ "EFL – Squad List 2021/22" (PDF). English English Football League. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "James Trafford". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ James Trafford at Soccerway
- ^ a b c d e "James, 12, signs for mega-rich Man City". Times and Star. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "From farm to final - England's future number one?". BBC Sport. 7 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d Fisher, Ben (4 July 2023). "James Trafford is the rising star with designs on being England's No 1". The Guardian.
- ^ "Accrington sign Mumbongo and Trafford". BBC Sport.
- ^ "James Trafford: Bolton Wanderers sign Manchester City goalkeeper". BBC Sport.
- ^ "'I'm just a farm boy at heart' – Wanderers keeper Trafford on his rural roots". The Bolton News. 26 January 2022.
- ^ "'REPORT: Wanderers 2 Cambridge Utd 0". Bolton Wanderers Official Website.
- ^ "Trafford Back For More". Bolton Wanderers Official Website.
- ^ "Trafford rejoins Bolton on loan from Man City". BBC Sport.
- ^ McDougall, John (16 July 2022). "Man City goalkeeper on League One return over Championship loan". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ a b McDougall, John (12 October 2022). "Bolton goalkeeper Trafford's impressive clean sheet haul & League One standings". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ a b "Trafford: Record Is A Group Effort". www.bwfc.co.uk.
- ^ "Cumbrian goalkeeper helps club break record". News and Star. 6 February 2023.
- ^ Brown, Dan (4 February 2023). "Man City goalkeeping pecking order might be set to change". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ "Bolton Wanderers 5-0 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport.
- ^ a b Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ a b Marc, Iles (23 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town - Marc Iles's big match verdict". The Bolton News.
- ^ Marc, Iles (30 April 2023). "Liverpool teen Conor Bradley wins hat-trick of Bolton Wanderers awards". The Bolton News.
- ^ "Barnsley edge past Bolton to reach play-off final". BBC Sport. 18 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Bradley Is Season Star". Bolton Wanderers. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ Iles, Marc (30 April 2023). "'We're not finished yet!' Prize guy Conor wants more glory in the play-offs". The Bolton News. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "James Trafford's thank-you message to Wanderers after play-off heroics". The Bolton News. 15 May 2023.
- ^ "Burnley agree £15m deal for Man City's Trafford". BBC Sport. 3 July 2023.
- ^ "CLARETS CAPTURE TRAFFORD". Burnley Football Club. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Burnley sign Man City's Trafford in £19m deal". BBC Sport. 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Report makes claim about Carlisle United cash from keeper transfer". News and Star. 17 July 2023.
- ^ a b "James Trafford: Man City youth product and U21 penalty hero is a future England No 1 who can shine at Burnley". Sky Sports.
- ^ "Cumbrian keeper makes Premier League debut against Haaland and City". News and Star. 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Brighton 1-1 Burnley: James Trafford's late heroics earn relegation-threatened visitors crucial point". Sky Sports.
- ^ "Vincent Kompany's immediate reaction to Burnley's draw at Brighton & James Trafford's solo display". 9 December 2023.
- ^ Association, The Football. "Drama in Denmark as ten-men England held to a draw by Croatia in Euro qualifying". www.thefa.com.
- ^ "James Trafford » Internationals". worldfootball.net.
- ^ "Six at SGP for MU20s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ "Lee Carsley has made his pick for Young Lions' four games in June as they target MU21 EURO qualification". EnglandFootball.com. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ "Match report: Kosovo 0–5 England MU21s". EnglandFootball.com. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "England MU21s squad named for EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ a b Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England U21 1–0 Spain U21: England win Under-21 Euros for first time in 39 years". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ a b Athletic, The (8 July 2023). "England vs Spain live updates". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "Trafford has 'top mentality' to succeed - Carsley". BBC Sport. 8 July 2023.
- ^ Walker, Andy (24 March 2024). "England squad update: Rico Lewis and James Trafford join seniors". England Football. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "England's Walker & Maguire ruled out of Belgium game". BBC Sport. 24 March 2024.
- ^ "England Euro 2024 squad: Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional squad". BBC Sport. 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Froston, Nancy. "Rapid reflexes and pin-point distribution can take Bolton's City loanee Trafford to the top". The Athletic.
- ^ "Games played by James Trafford in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Games played by James Trafford in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by James Trafford in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Games played by James Trafford in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Games played by James Trafford in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England beat Spain to win Euro U21 Championship". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "2023 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
External links
edit- Profile at the Burnley F.C. website
- James Trafford – UEFA competition record (archive)