{{Short description|English footballer (born 2002)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox football biography |name = James Trafford |image = Queen Park Rangers v Burnley 26042025 (25) (James Trafford).jpg |image_size = |caption = Trafford with Burnley in 2025 |full_name = James Harrington Trafford<ref name="EFL - Squad List 2021/22">{{cite web|title=EFL – Squad List 2021/22|url=https://www.efl.com/contentassets/c5d1297ad65c49c6bac4ae0e69c6b48e/squad-list-publication-report-2021-22---08.09.2021.pdf|publisher=English English Football League|access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|10|10|df=y}}<ref name="11v11">{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/james-trafford-266030/ |title=James Trafford |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> |birth_place = Cockermouth, England |height = {{convert|1.97|m|order=flip}}<ref name="11v11"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/432720/james-trafford/overview |title=James Trafford: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> |position = Goalkeeper |currentclub = Manchester City |clubnumber = 1 |youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Cockermouth |youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Carlisle United |youthyears3 = 2015–2021 |youthclubs3 = Manchester City |years1 = 2021–2023 |clubs1 = Manchester City |caps1 = 0 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2021–2022 |clubs2 = → Accrington Stanley (loan) |caps2 = 11 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2022 |clubs3 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan) |caps3 = 22 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2022–2023 |clubs4 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan) |caps4 = 45 |goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2023–2025 |clubs5 = Burnley |caps5 = 73 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2025– |clubs6 = Manchester City |caps6 = 4 |goals6 = 0 |nationalyears1 = 2018–2019 |nationalteam1 = England U17 |nationalcaps1 = 7 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |nationalyears2 = 2019 |nationalteam2 = England U18 |nationalcaps2 = 2 |nationalgoals2 = 0 |nationalyears3 = 2019 |nationalteam3 = England U19 |nationalcaps3 = 1 |nationalgoals3 = 0 |nationalyears4 = 2021–2022 |nationalteam4 = England U20 |nationalcaps4 = 5 |nationalgoals4 = 0 |nationalyears5 = 2022–2024 |nationalteam5 = England U21 |nationalcaps5 = 19<!--total includes friendly against Japan that originally was not stated to be official and was later edited to be official <ref name="Eng-Jap">{{cite web |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Jun/10/england-mens-under-21s-japan-match-report-20230610 |title=Report: England MU21s 0–2 Japan |website=EnglandFootball.com |publisher=The Football Association|access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref>--> |nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2026– | nationalteam6 = England | nationalcaps6 = 1 | nationalgoals6 = 0 |medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ENG}}}} {{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}} {{Medal|W|2023|}} |club-update = 23:34, 24 May 2026 (UTC) |nationalteam-update = 22:00, 27 March 2026 (UTC) }} '''James Harrington Trafford''' (born 10 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|ManchesC}} club Manchester City and the England national team.
==Early life== Trafford was born in Cockermouth, Cumbria,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/a-closer-look-at-james-traffords-background |title=A closer look at James Trafford's background |publisher=Burnley F.C. |date=23 July 2023 |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref> and grew up in the nearby village of Greysouthen in a farming family.<ref name = "ManCity"/> He was a Chelsea fan.<ref name = "ManCity"/> He attended Cockermouth School and St Bede's College.<ref name = "ManCity"/> He learned to drive on a tractor<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66121133|title=From farm to final – England's future number one?|work=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2023 }}</ref> and in his early career he would return to help out on the family farm in the off-season.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/04/james-trafford-england-under-21-european-championship|title=James Trafford is the rising star with designs on being England's No 1|first=Ben|last=Fisher|date=4 July 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Manchester City=== Trafford began his career with Cockermouth and Carlisle United, signing with Manchester City in August 2015 at the age of 12.<ref name = "ManCity">{{Cite web|title=James, 12, signs for mega-rich Man City|url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/sport/17030219.james-12-signs-for-mega-rich-man-city/|access-date=6 September 2021|website=Times and Star|date=28 August 2015 }}</ref> At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine.<ref name="auto2"/> He was part of the Manchester City Under-18s team that won the 2019–20 Professional U18 Development League and the Under-23s team that won the 2020–21 Professional U23 Development League.<ref name=mancity>{{cite web |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/james-trafford-joins-manchester-city-63889403 |title=Trafford returns to Manchester City! |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |date=29 July 2025 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> He moved on loan to Accrington Stanley in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57678725|title=Accrington sign Mumbongo and Trafford|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> This loan was later described as "challenging" due to injuries and losing his first-team place.<ref name="auto2"/>
====Bolton Wanderers==== Trafford signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers on 13 January 2022, until the end of the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59987947|title=James Trafford: Bolton Wanderers sign Manchester City goalkeeper |website=BBC Sport }}</ref> He kept four clean sheets in his first four games, the first time a goalkeeper had done so in Bolton's entire history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19876206.bolton-wanderers-manchester-city-loanee-james-trafford-reveals-farming-past/|title='I'm just a farm boy at heart' – Wanderers keeper Trafford on his rural roots|website=The Bolton News|date=26 January 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/February/report-wanderers-v-cambridge-utd/|title='REPORT: Wanderers 2 Cambridge Utd 0|website=Bolton Wanderers Official Website}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>
On 15 June 2022, Trafford rejoined Bolton on loan for a further season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/trafford-back-for-more/|title=Trafford Back For More|website=Bolton Wanderers Official Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61818486 | title=Trafford rejoins Bolton on loan from Man City | website=BBC Sport }}</ref> In July 2022, he signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-james-trafford-bolton-24508791|title=Man City goalkeeper on League One return over Championship loan|first=John|last=McDougall|date=16 July 2022|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> By October he was noted for his clean sheets,<ref name=haul>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bolton-james-trafford-manchester-city-25245526|title=Bolton goalkeeper Trafford's impressive clean sheet haul & League One standings|first=John|last=McDougall|date=12 October 2022|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> 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.<ref name=record2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/trafford-record-is-a-group-effort/|title=Trafford: Record Is A Group Effort|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/23302734.james-trafford-helps-bolton-wanderers-break-home-clean-sheet-record/|title=Cumbrian goalkeeper helps club break record|website=News and Star|date=6 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-trafford-man-city-bolton-26157121|title=Man City goalkeeping pecking order might be set to change|first=Dan|last=Brown|date=4 February 2023|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> He was able to extend the record to nine,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64549561|title=Bolton Wanderers 5–0 Milton Keynes Dons|website=BBC Sport }}</ref><ref name="auto"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64686130|title=Bolton Wanderers 2–1 Port Vale|website=BBC Sport }}</ref> On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final and kept a clean sheet in 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle.<ref name="EFLT23"/> 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.<ref name=record3>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23474574.bolton-wanderers-1-0-shrewsbury-town---marc-iless-big-match-verdict/|title=Bolton Wanderers 1–0 Shrewsbury Town – Marc Iles's big match verdict|first=Iles|last=Marc|date=23 April 2023|website=The Bolton News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23491094.liverpool-teen-conor-bradley-wins-hat-trick-bolton-wanderers-awards/|title=Liverpool teen Conor Bradley wins hat-trick of Bolton Wanderers awards|first=Iles|last=Marc|date=30 April 2023|website=The Bolton News}}</ref> He finished the season with a total of 26 clean sheets.<ref name="auto"/> He helped Bolton qualify for the play-offs, though they were defeated by Barnsley in the semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65567452|title=Barnsley edge past Bolton to reach play-off final|work=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2023 }}</ref> He was voted as Bolton's Young Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season, together with Conor Bradley.<ref name="BWPOTY">{{cite news |date=29 April 2023 |title=Bradley Is Season Star |website=Bolton Wanderers |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/bradley-is-season-star/ |access-date=29 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Iles |first=Marc |date=30 April 2023 |title='We're not finished yet!' Prize guy Conor wants more glory in the play-offs |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23491094.liverpool-teen-conor-bradley-wins-hat-trick-bolton-wanderers-awards/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=The Bolton News}}</ref> His performances during the season saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year for League One.<ref name=PFA>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66650723 |title=Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2023 |access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref> He said his time at Bolton turned him from a "long, skinny boy" into a "long, skinny man".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23521485.manchester-city-keeper-james-traffords-thank-you-bolton-wanderers/|title=James Trafford's thank-you message to Wanderers after play-off heroics|date=15 May 2023|website=The Bolton News}}</ref>
Since leaving Bolton, Trafford has consistently expressed his love for the club, going as far as to say "I am a Bolton fan, I love Bolton. Everyone in the club, I loved them."<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2025 |title='I couldn't love Bolton any more!' - James Trafford looks back at loan days |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25220155.england-keeper-james-trafford-love-bolton-wanderers/ |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=The Bolton News |language=en}}</ref>
===Burnley=== On 3 July 2023, it was announced that a £15 million transfer fee had been agreed between Manchester City and Burnley for Trafford.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66093009|title=Burnley agree £15m deal for Man City's Trafford|work=BBC Sport |date=3 July 2023 }}</ref> With add-ons, the deal could reach a total of £19 million — which if met would break Burnley's transfer record.<ref name="auto"/> On 20 July 2023, Trafford's move to Burnley was officially completed.<ref>{{cite web |title=CLARETS CAPTURE TRAFFORD |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/clarets-capture-trafford |publisher=Burnley Football Club |access-date=20 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66262753|title=Burnley sign Man City's Trafford in £19m deal|work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2023 }}</ref> Due to their sell-on clause, Carlisle United got 15% of the fee for around £2.25m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/23660796.reports-claim-carlisle-united-cash-james-trafford-move/|title=Report makes claim about Carlisle United cash from keeper transfer|date=17 July 2023|website=News and Star}}</ref> He became the third most expensive British goalkeeper in history.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12919060/james-trafford-man-city-youth-product-and-u21-penalty-hero-is-a-future-england-no-1-who-can-shine-at-burnley|title=James Trafford: Man City youth product and U21 penalty hero is a future England No 1 who can shine at Burnley|website=Sky Sports}}</ref>
He made his Burnley and Premier League debut on 11 August 2023, in a 3–0 home defeat to his former club, Manchester City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/23718526.james-trafford-makes-premier-league-debut-man-city/|title=Cumbrian keeper makes Premier League debut against Haaland and City|date=12 August 2023|website=News and Star}}</ref> He earned high praise after a Man of the Match performance in a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 9 December, in which he made 10 saves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13024886/brighton-1-1-burnley-simon-adingras-second-half-header-denies-relegation-threatened-visitors-shock-win|title=Brighton 1–1 Burnley: James Trafford's late heroics earn relegation-threatened visitors crucial point|website=Sky Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/vincent-kompanys-immediate-reaction-to-burnleys-draw-at-brighton-james-traffords-solo-display-4440184|title=Vincent Kompany's immediate reaction to Burnley's draw at Brighton & James Trafford's solo display|date=9 December 2023 }}</ref>
In January 2025, he saved two penalties in a league match against Sunderland,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/burnley-sunderland-championship-score-result-table-tsn6pwkpq|title=James Trafford saves two penalties to rescue Burnley against Sunderland|first=Ian|last=Whittell|date=17 January 2025|website=www.thetimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24866824.james-trafford-stars-two-penalty-saves-sunderland/|title=Cumbrian keeper stars with TWO penalty saves in one game|date=18 January 2025|website=News and Star}}</ref> being praised by manager Scott Parker as a "special" player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/17/burnley-sunderland-championship-match-report|title=Burnley's Parker hails 'special' Trafford after penalty saves deny Sunderland|first=Will|last=Unwin|work=The Guardian |date=17 January 2025}}</ref> Having not conceded a goal across any of their six matches in the month, he was named EFL Championship Player of the Month.<ref name="Jan25 POTM">{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/february/07/sky-bet-championship-manager---player-of-the-month-january-winners/|title=Sky Bet Championship Manager & Player of the Month January winners|website=www.efl.com|date=7 February 2025|accessdate=7 February 2025}}</ref> By February 2025, Trafford had gone 1,000 minutes without conceding a goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq8kle2x81do|title=Burnley: The stats behind the Clarets' 1,000 minutes without conceding|date=15 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> In March 2025, this streak came to an end in Burnley's EFL Championship match against Cardiff City, with Yousef Salech scoring in the 42nd minute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2025 |title=JJ Watt can stay in retirement after James Trafford's clean sheet streak ends |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/jj-watt-stay-retirement-james-210340514.html?guccounter=1 |access-date=4 March 2025 |website=Yahoo Sports }}</ref> During this run, Trafford kept 12 clean sheets in a row, breaking the record for the most consecutive clean sheets in Championship history (the prior record was 10).<ref name=champsrecord>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6134300/2025/03/04/burnley-clean-sheet-record/|title=Burnley concede after record 12 league clean sheets in a row to keep JJ Watt in NFL retirement|first1=Alex|last1=Brodie|first2=Colin|last2=Millar|work=The New York Times |date=4 March 2025|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> After 33 games, Trafford and Burnley had conceded only nine goals, the fewest in the history of English Football at that point of the season.<ref name=champsrecord2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11708/13311885/james-trafford-interview-burnley-goalkeeper-on-clean-sheet-record-jj-watt-wager-and-sunderland-penalty-saves|title=James Trafford interview: Burnley goalkeeper on clean-sheet record, JJ Watt wager and Sunderland penalty saves|website=Sky Sports}}</ref> Trafford finished the season with 29 clean sheets,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/james-traffords-verdict-remarkable-season-102347157.html|title=James Trafford's verdict on remarkable season and transfer 'noise'|date=29 April 2025|website=Yahoo Sports}}</ref> which equalled the record for a goalkeeper in a single season in English football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2vkk6rn3vt|title=Queens Park Rangers v Burnley: Championship stats & head-to-head|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> During the 2024–25 season, Burnley conceded only 16 goals in 46 games, the fewest in the history of the Football League, beating the previous record of 20,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdjlv2e02dyo|title=Championship: Leeds United and Burnley's historic title race|date=3 May 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref name=champsrecord2/> although this was one more than Chelsea's 15 conceded in 38 games in the 2004–05 Premier League.<ref name=champsrecord2/>
===Return to Manchester City=== On 29 July 2025, Manchester City announced the return of Trafford on a five-year deal, after activating their buy-back clause and matching Newcastle United's £31 million bid.<ref name=mancity/><ref name=recordfee>{{cite news |last=Stafford |first=Katie |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgk3k0654x6o |title=Keeper Trafford returns 'home' to Man City for £27m |website=BBC Sport |date=29 July 2025 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=recordfee2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/13402939/james-trafford-transfer-news-man-city-complete-deal-to-re-sign-goalkeeper-from-burnley|title=James Trafford transfer news: Man City complete deal to re-sign goalkeeper from Burnley | Football News | Sky Sports |work=Sky Sports }}</ref> Trafford's official fee was £31 million (being the record paid for a British goalkeeper), although City received £4 million back due to their sell-on clause, and so only paid £27 million.<ref name=recordfee/><ref name=recordfee2/> On 16 August, he made his debut for City in their first Premier League game of the season, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/wolves-manchester-city-202526-match-report-63890951 |title=Super City make blistering Premier League start at Wolves |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |date=16 August 2025 |access-date=17 August 2025}}</ref> In his home debut for City on 23 August, he made an error that led to Tottenham Hotspur's second goal in a 2–0 defeat. After the game, Guardiola said he still backed Trafford.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2025 |title=Man City's Guardiola backs keeper Trafford after Spurs error |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/man-citys-guardiola-backs-keeper-trafford-after-spurs-error-2025-08-29/ |access-date=7 September 2025 |work=Reuters }}</ref> Trafford was presented with the August Save of the Month award for saving a close-range shot by Jan Paul van Hecke as City lost 2–1 to Brighton & Hove Albion on 31 August.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajan |first=Adwaidh |date=31 August 2025 |title=Brajan Gruda came off the bench to score an 89th-minute goal to give Brighton their first win of the Premier League season, while condemning Manchester City to back-to-back defeats. |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c80dn91vz3kt |access-date=14 September 2025 |work=BBC News |department=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2025 |title=Trafford wins Coca-Cola Save of the Month award |url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4407234/trafford-wins-coca-cola-save-of-the-month-award |access-date=14 September 2025 |website=Premier League}}</ref>
After playing in the club's first few matches, he was dropped in favour of transfer deadline day signing Gianluigi Donnarumma.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c75q1g6dyk2o|title=James Trafford: Will Man City goalkeeper be questioning return?|first=Shamoon|last=Hafez|date=24 September 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> Thereafter Trafford appeared only in Cup games,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq8dw32q2g2o|title=Man City 2–0 Brentford: Should James Trafford 'stick it out' at the club?|first=Shamoon|last=Hafez|date=17 December 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> with former Man City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver saying he "felt sorry" for Trafford.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c989kz4ngeyo|title=Manchester City news: Nicky Weaver on James Trafford|first=Shamoon|last=Hafez|date=18 December 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 22 March 2026, Trafford started in the EFL Cup final, securing a 2–0 victory over Arsenal and becoming the second youngest goalkeeper to achieve this feat, surpassed only by Chris Woods in 1978.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onefootball.com/de/news/man-city-stopper-marks-historic-efl-cup-final-feat-in-incredible-style-42599393 |title=Man City stopper marks historic EFL Cup final feat in incredible style |publisher=OneFootball |date=22 March 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Paul |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/james-trafford-carabao-cup-2026-success-63909803 |title=Trafford on Carabao Cup win: It's an amazing, amazing feeling |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |date=22 March 2026 }}</ref> On 16 May he started the FA Cup final, with Man City beating Chelsea 1–0 — meaning Trafford and City won both domestic cups that season.<ref name=FA26>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/clypx2em7drt#Line-ups |title=Chelsea 0–1 Manchester City |website=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2026 |access-date=16 May 2026}}</ref>
==International career== Trafford 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2019/mar/24/england-u17s-croatia-report-240319|title=Drama in Denmark as ten-men England held to a draw by Croatia in Euro qualifying|first=The Football|last=Association|website=www.thefa.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe562368/james-trafford/international-matches/|title=James Trafford » Internationals|website=worldfootball.net |date=29 July 2025 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Six at SGP for MU20s|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2021/Sep/06/20210609-england-mu20s-romania-match-report|access-date=6 September 2021|website=EnglandFootball.com|publisher=The Football Association}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=25 May 2022|title=Lee Carsley has made his pick for Young Lions' four games in June as they target MU21 EURO qualification|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/May/25/england-mu21s-squad-named-for-june-euro-qualifiers-czech-republic-albania-kosovo-slovenia-20222505|access-date=25 May 2022|website=EnglandFootball.com|publisher=The Football Association}}</ref> Trafford made his debut in the 5–0 win away to Kosovo.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 June 2022|title=Match report: Kosovo 0–5 England MU21s|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Jun/10/england-mu21s-kosovo-match-u21-euro-qualifier-report-20221006|access-date=12 June 2022|website=EnglandFootball.com|publisher=The Football Association}}</ref>
On 14 June 2023, Trafford was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=14 June 2023|title=England MU21s squad named for EURO Finals|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Jun/14/england-mens-under-21s-squad-named-for-uefa-u21-euro-finals-20231406|access-date=26 June 2023|website=EnglandFootball.com|publisher=The Football Association}}</ref> He did not concede a goal during the tournament in six matches,<ref name="auto"/> the first time a goalkeeper had done this in the tournament's history,<ref name=u21final2>{{cite web |title=England U21 1–0 Spain U21: England win Under-21 Euros for first time in 39 years |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66127349 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=8 July 2023|first=Alex|last=Howell}}</ref> and saved a stoppage-time penalty and its rebound in the final against Spain as England won the game 1–0.<ref name=u21final>{{Cite web |last=Athletic |first=The |date=8 July 2023 |title=England vs Spain live updates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/england-spain-u21-euro-2023-live-score-updates-result-final/jJM8XeO5HRos/ |access-date=8 July 2023 |website=The Athletic }}</ref> His mentality was praised by England under-21 manager Lee Carsley.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66145646|title=Trafford has 'top mentality' to succeed – Carsley|work=BBC Sport |date=8 July 2023 }}</ref> It was later reported that Trafford had told friends that he would save a penalty that game.<ref name="auto1"/>
Following an injury to Sam Johnstone in March 2024, Trafford received his first call up to the senior squad for a friendly against Belgium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Mar/19/england-mens-squad-updates-march-international-window-2024 |title=England squad update: Rico Lewis and James Trafford join seniors |first=Andy |last=Walker |website=EnglandFootball.com |publisher=The Football Association |date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68651573|title=England's Walker & Maguire ruled out of Belgium game|work=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2024 }}</ref> He was selected to England's provisional 33-member squad for Euro 2024,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3gglr8mpzdo|title=England Euro 2024 squad: Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional squad|date=21 May 2024|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> but was dropped from the final 26-man squad on 6 June.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cv22menk7dno |title=Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024 |website=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2024 |access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>
In October 2025, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that Trafford would become an England goalkeeper in due course.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cly13z02v2lo|title=James Trafford: Man City keeper will be England number one 'sooner or later'|first=Shamoon|last=Hafez|date=28 October 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 27 March 2026 Trafford made his full England international debut in a friendly against Uruguay at Wembley. He conceded a stoppage time penalty, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/sport/garner-trafford-england-uruguay-tuchel-b2947351.html |title=England duo handed debuts by Thomas Tuchel in pre-World Cup friendly |website=Independent |date=27 March 2026 |access-date=27 March 2026}}</ref>
==Style of play== He spent his early career as an outfield player.<ref name = "ManCity"/> At Carlisle he began as a midfielder, but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine.<ref name="auto2"/> He has been praised for his reflexes and distribution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4407763/2023/04/15/james-trafford-man-city-bolton/|title=Rapid reflexes and pin-point distribution can take Bolton's City loanee Trafford to the top|first=Nancy|last=Froston|website=The Athletic |date=15 April 2023 }}</ref> He is noted for his ability to keep clean sheets, breaking multiple records with Bolton Wanderers,<ref name=haul/><ref name="auto"/><ref name=record2/><ref name=record3/> Burnley,<ref name=champsrecord/><ref name=champsrecord2/> and winning the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship without conceding a goal.<ref name="auto"/><ref name=u21final/><ref name=u21final2/>
==Personal life== In 2025, two years after leaving Bolton Wanderers, Trafford revealed he loved his time at the club so much that it had caused him to become a Bolton fan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25220155.england-keeper-james-trafford-love-bolton-wanderers/|title='I couldn't love Bolton any more!' – James Trafford looks back at loan days|date=7 June 2025|website=The Bolton News}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 24 May 2026}} {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|EFL Cup !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Manchester City U23 |2020–21<ref>{{soccerbase season|133490|2020|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref> |colspan=3|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}||0||2||0 |- |rowspan=3|Manchester City |2021–22<ref name=sb2122>{{soccerbase season|133490|2021|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2022–23<ref name=sb2223>{{soccerbase season|133490|2022|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |Accrington Stanley (loan) |2021–22<ref name=sb2122/> |League One |11||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||11||0 |- |Bolton Wanderers (loan) |2021–22<ref name=sb2122/> |League One |22||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||22||0 |- |Bolton Wanderers (loan) |2022–23<ref name=sb2223/> |League One |45||0||1||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|Four appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs}}||0||52||0 |- |rowspan=3|Burnley |2023–24<ref>{{soccerbase season|133490|2023|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |28||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||28||0 |- |2024–25<ref>{{soccerbase season|133490|2024|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> |Championship |45||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||45||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !73||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||73||0 |- |Manchester City |2025–26<ref>{{soccerbase season|133490|2025|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |4||0||6||0||6||0||1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Champions League}}||0||colspan=2|—||17||0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !155||0||7||0||6||0||1||0||8||0||177||0 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 27 March 2026}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |England |2026||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total||1||0 |}
==Honours== '''Manchester City''' *FA Cup: 2025–26<ref name=FA26/> *EFL Cup: 2025–26<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cy030p56zx4t|title=Carabao Cup final: Nico O'Reilly double helps Man City beat Arsenal at Wembley|first=Phil|last=McNulty|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
'''Manchester City Under-18s''' *Professional U18 Development League: 2019–20<ref name=mancity/>
'''Manchester City Under-23s''' *Professional U23 Development League: 2020–21<ref name=mancity/>
'''Bolton Wanderers''' *EFL Trophy: 2022–23<ref name="EFLT23">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65088981 |title=Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle |first=Brent |last=Pilnick |website=BBC Sport |date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref>
'''England U21''' * UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2023<ref>{{Cite news |last=Howell |first=Alex |date=8 July 2023 |title=England beat Spain to win Euro U21 Championship |language= |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66127349 |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *Bolton Wanderers Young Player of the Year: 2022–23 (shared)<ref name="BWPOTY"/> *UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2023<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 July 2023 |title=2023 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament |language= |work=UEFA |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0283-1876f534fb25-e069a027749d-1000--team-of-the-tournament/ |access-date=17 July 2023}}</ref> *PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 League One,<ref name=PFA/> 2024–25 Championship<ref name="PFATOTS">{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13414711/liverpools-mohamed-salah-and-arsenals-mariona-caldentey-win-pfa-player-of-the-year-awards-for-2024-25 |title=Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey win PFA Player of the Year awards for 2024/25 |website=Sky Sports |date=19 August 2025 |access-date=20 August 2025}}</ref> *EFL Championship Player of the Month: January 2025<ref name="Jan25 POTM"/> *EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2024–25<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c985rrjgy7yo |title=Burnley's Parker and Blades' Hamer win EFL awards |first=Ben |last=Ashton |website=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2025 |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> *EFL Championship Golden Glove: 2024–25<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goalkeeper.com/news-and-media/exclusives/post/award-winning-goalkeepers-2025/ |title=Which goalkeepers got their hands on personal or team silverware this year? |publisher=Goalkeeper.com |date=16 July 2025 }}</ref> *PFA Championship Player of the Year: 2024–25<ref name="PFATOTS"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.mancity.com/players/james-trafford Profile] at the Manchester City F.C. website *{{UEFA player}} *{{Soccerway|james-trafford/536619}}
{{Manchester City F.C. squad}} {{England squad 2026 FIFA World Cup}} {{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy | list1 = {{2022–23 EFL League One PFA Team of the Year}} {{2024–25 EFL Championship PFA Team of the Year}} {{2024–25 EFL Championship Team of the Season}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trafford, James}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Cockermouth Category:Footballers from Cumbria Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Carlisle United F.C. players Category:Manchester City F.C. players Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Burnley F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Premier League players Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:England men's under-21 international footballers Category:People educated at St Bede's College, Manchester Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:England men's international footballers Category:2026 FIFA World Cup players