If you managed to catch the UEFA U21s European Championships this year, you’ll know that one of England’s most impressive players throughout the tournament was Manchester City youngster, James Trafford, and if you’re aware of Burnley FC’s social media, you know they never disappoint.
That’s right, the former Man City keeper who was on loan at Bolton Wanderers and took them all the way to League One playoffs last season, has officially signed for Burnley on a reported fee of around £19 million including add-ons, after his market value skyrocketed following an impressive 2022/23 campaign.
As well as being a reliable man between the sticks over in Bolton and starring at the U21 Euros, he was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in City’s academy and clearly gelled well with the likes of his fellow Blue and England U21 captain, Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Nevertheless, the promising youth player has now got a move to the recently re-promoted Burnley and has taken the no.1 shirt right from the off. With that being said, they only saw fit to give the exciting new arrival another one of their vintage announcement videos.
We would’ve liked a ‘Great shot!’ pun, but you can’t have everything.
Absolutely class, as usual. As you can see, the iconic Back to Future score makes for the perfect soundtrack as they replay his incredible heroics in the U21s final, producing a double-save in the dying embers of added time as England clung on to a tense 1-0 lead.
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But it isn’t just this one standout moment that saw people take notice of the keeper; Trafford didn’t concede a single goal throughout the entire tournament and also managed to keep a clean sheet in the Wanderers’ historic 4-0 EFL Trophy win back in April.
Moreover, during his time at the UniBol (yes, we know it has a silly new name), he managed to keep 33 clean sheets in 77 appearances — 22 of those coming this past season — and was one of the key players in the side that led oh so close to promotion.
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Trafford boasts a solid record and some of the key natural traits you’d hope for in a shot-stopper and has become the 25th most-expensive goalkeeper of all-time at just 20 years old. This kid looks like he could be the real deal.
Knowing the potential Trafford has, Man City have naturally included not only a 20% sell-on clause but a buy-back option within the four-year deal as well, which is said to be worth around £15m up front as well as a further £4m add-ons.
He is yet to play in the Premier League but with City legend Vincent Kompany‘s Burnley facing off against the champions and treble-winners in their opening game of the season on 11 August, his first match could very well come against his old club.
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What a moment that will be for everyone involved.
You can watch the 2023 U21s Euro final highlights and Trafford’s shining moment down below:
James Trafford, England hero and now Burnley’s no.1
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
21st July 2023 
