Manchester City Goalkeeper Secures Season-Long Loan Move To Bolton

James Trafford, who has been with Manchester City since the age of 12, has been an unused substitute for Pep Guardiola on six occasions and moved to Bolton Wanderers on loan in January after a difficult spell with Accrington Stanley. 

The 19 year-old was one of two young Manchester City goalkeepers to shine in League One during the past season, with the teenager keeping nine clean sheets in 33 appearances for Ian Evatt’s side, and becoming a popular figure at the University of Bolton Stadium.  

The Cumbrian-born shot-stopper was rewarded for an impressive 2022 with his first England under-21 call-up this summer, and the 19 year-old goalkeeper recently made his debut in a 5-0 win over Kosovo. 

Bolton finished the EFL League One campaign in superb form, unbeaten in their final five matches and securing a top-half finish with a 4-2 win over Fleetwood Town on the final day of the season. 

On Wednesday afternoon, the Whites confirmed that James Trafford will now be returning to the Lancashire based club on a season-long loan for the 2022/23 campaign, and that the teenager would join up with the Wanderers upon their return from a training camp in Portugal. 

James Trafford in action for Bolton Wanderers.

In a statement published on the official Bolton website, Whites manager Ian Evatt said, “We’re delighted Traff' is going to be back with us and we’re grateful to Manchester City for allowing him to return for a second spell."

“He did really well for us last season as part of our defensive unit and quickly became a key part of the group.We’re looking forward to working with him again next season."

He continued, “He’s a young goalkeeper who’s still learning and who will only get better. He’s another important signing for us, who already knows how we work, and I know one which will be popular with the supporters as well.”

There has been numerous transfer activity regarding Manchester City goalkeepers in recent days, with 20 year-old keeper Gavin Bazunu set to seal an initial £12 million move to Southampton, while veteran Scott Carson recently signed a new one-year contract with the reigning Premier League Champions. 

Gavin Bazunu is on the verge of joining Southampton (MI News & Sport / Alamy)

Recent reports have also claimed that former Manchester City skipper and newly appointed Burnley manager Vincent Kompany could look to sign goalkeeper Arijanet Muric from the Sky Blues, as the Belgian manager looks to begin a rebuild at Turf Moor and bring the side back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.