Trafford's City exit edges closer as Leeds medical is completed

Trafford's City exit edges closer as Leeds medical is completed

James Trafford's time at Manchester City appears to be drawing to a close, with the goalkeeper having completed his medical ahead of a permanent move to Leeds United.

According to The Athletic's Beren Cross, the 23-year-old began his medical on Monday and concluded it with Elland Road staff over the course of the week. The transfer is now reportedly close to being finalised.

It has previously been reported by The Athletic that the deal will be worth a guaranteed £40 million to City, plus add-ons.

Trafford, a City Academy graduate, joined under Pep Guardiola last summer thanks to a buy-back clause in his Burnley agreement. But with City also moving to sign Paris Saint-Germain and Italy No.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma later in the same transfer window, he quickly found himself as the club's designated second-choice goalkeeper.

His first — and perhaps only — season at the Etihad was a mixed one. He endured a mixture of emotions, but there were highlights: runs to both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals, against Chelsea and Arsenal respectively, where he recorded numerous clean sheets at Wembley and finished with both trophies.

Now he has agreed to step away from City on a permanent basis, joining Leeds in what is described as a record-breaking move for the Whites.

For a player who never truly got a look-in as City's No.1, the £40 million guaranteed fee represents a significant return. Trafford, presumably, will be relieved to be heading somewhere he can actually play.