James Trafford's Man City promise broken after three games with Gianluigi Donnarumma transfer

James Trafford will be one of the few at Manchester City to have lamented the arrival of deadline day signing Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Having returned to City from Burnley this summer and started all three Premier League games this season, Trafford was told it was only a matter of time before he became their No.1 goalkeeper.

With Ederson entering the final year of his contract, the plan outlined to Trafford was to spend a season as back-up before graduating to first-choice status when City's long-term No.1 left.

But the £27million signing of Italy Euro 2020 and Champions League winner Donnarumma has put paid to England Under-21 star Trafford's hopes of becoming No.1 at City. Donnarumma, 26, has signed a five-year deal with City and Trafford must now be content with fulfilling the role of understudy, along with fellow back-up keeper Stefan Ortega.

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For Trafford and Ortega, the EFL Cup and FA Cup are now their only realistic chances of starting matches. What seemed like a career step-up for Trafford, 23, has now become a backward step – at Burnley he was guaranteed to start every game. Now he must train without the incentive of playing.

Bidding farewell to City after eight years as No.1, a spell that yielded six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League, Ederson said: “I leave City incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and I'm honoured to have worn the shirt so many times.

“Under Pep, we have won and dominated the Premier League and conquered Europe. It's been amazing.

“I would first of all like to thank him and Xabier Mancisidor for making me the best goalkeeper I could be and teaching so much about the game.

“I must also thank my team-mates. Our desire to win every game we play has been a joy to be a part of and that's made me relish every day on the training field or in the dressing room with every one of you.

“Finally, the fans. Thank you for making me feel at home in a city so far away from where I am from and for supporting me throughout what has been an amazing period for me and my family.

“I arrived in Manchester eight years ago full of hope, but I could not have predicted such a beautiful time together.

“Playing for City has been the most special time of my life and I will always be a fan of this special club. I'm going with my wife and children, but I'm leaving a big family here. Once a Blue, always a Blue."

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