Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford has admitted he was left surprised by Manchester City's decision to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma a month into his own return to the Etihad Stadium last summer.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival saw James Trafford leave Man City just 12 months on from returning to his boyhood club.More Videos
Trafford was brought back to City by sporting director Hugo Viana last summer - two summers on from the 24-year-old leaving for Burnley to play under former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
The City academy graduate had departed his boyhood club right after the Blues won a historic treble and finally broke their UEFA Champions League hoodoo by beating Inter in a narrow final win in Istanbul.
As Ederson pursued interest from Turkey, officials at the Etihad Stadium moved to activate a buy-back clause in Trafford's contract at Turf Moor, with the Carlisle-born shot-stopper returning to Manchester for £27 million.
What went wrong for Trafford following his Man City return?
However, after a rocky start to his senior Manchester City career - which saw him give away a cheap goal in a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham in the second game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign - the club had a rethink as they sought a like-for-like replacement for the outgoing Ederson in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
With Ederson allowed to complete a deadline day move to Fenerbahce, City completed the signing of Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million in what was widely touted as the bargain deal of the window.
The arrival of the Italy captain, who broke into the AC Milan senior squad at 16 years of age, saw Trafford displaced and the England international would then have to wait until the final day of the season - Pep Guardiola's final game in charge of Manchester City - to return to the post for Manchester City in the Premier League.
Although he led the Blues to a Carabao Cup and FA Cup double triumph, Trafford was left frustrated by the way things played out recruitment-wise for City, with the academy graduate reportedly given assurances by the club over the number one position in talks before he left Burnley to return to the Etihad Stadium.
How does Trafford reflect on his second spell at the Etihad Stadium?
Having departed for Leeds United for £40 million this summer, Trafford has reflected on a difficult start to his second spell at Manchester City. In an interview with The Times, the goalkeeper was quizzed on whether his boyhood club signing Donnarumma a month after his arrival came as a surprise to him.
"Yeah, erm, yeah, it’s one of them things. It happened, it’s in the past," said Trafford in an understandably uncomfortable tone, appreciate all too well the gravity of the situation and avoiding a needless backlash from Manchester City fans should he have delved deeper into a matter he clearly considers is in the past.
Donnarumma has been a very good addition to the City squad for the most part but the 27-year-old remains prone to the odd error, as was recently on display in a 4-2 loss to his former club PSG in the UEFA Champions League last week.