James Trafford

Manchester City

Trafford began his career with Cockermouth and Carlisle United, signing with Manchester City in August 2015 at the age of 12. At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine. 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. He moved on loan to Accrington Stanley in July 2021. This loan was later described as "challenging" due to injuries and losing his first-team place.

Bolton Wanderers

Trafford signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers on 13 January 2022, until the end of the 2021–22 season. He kept four clean sheets in his first four games, the first time a goalkeeper had done so in Bolton's entire history. On 15 June 2022, Trafford rejoined Bolton on loan for a further season. In July 2022, he signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City. By October he was noted for his clean sheets, 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. He was able to extend the record to nine, 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. On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final and kept a clean sheet in 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle. Trafford's clean sheet in a 1–0 win…

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. 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. 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. 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. Trafford made his debut in the 5–0 win away to Kosovo. On 14 June 2023, Trafford was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He did not concede a goal during the tournament in six matches, the first time a goalkeeper had done this in the tournament's history, and saved a stoppage-time penalty and its rebound in the final against Spain as England won the game 1–0. His mentality was praised by England under-21 manager Lee Carsley. It was later reported that Trafford had told friends that he would save a penalty that game. Following an injury to Sam Johnstone in March 2024, Trafford received his first call up to the senior squad for a friendly against Belgium. He was selected to England's provisional 33-member squad for Euro 2024, but was dropped from the…

He spent his early career as an outfield player. At Carlisle he began as a midfielder, but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine. He has been praised for his reflexes and distribution. He is noted for his ability to keep clean sheets, breaking multiple records with Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, and winning the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship without conceding a goal.

Trafford was born in Cockermouth, Cumbria, and grew up in the nearby village of Greysouthen in a farming family. He was a Chelsea fan. He attended Cockermouth School and St Bede's College. He learned to drive on a tractor and in his early career he would return to help out on the family farm in the off-season.