Football's most expensive goalkeepers and how James Trafford compares

Leeds' new signing slots in fourth on a list still headed by Chelsea's 2018 signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

James Trafford's move to Leeds makes him the fourth-most expensive goalkeeper ever.

Here the Press Association takes a look at some of the most expensive goalkeepers of all time.

Kepa remains the most expensive goalkeeper of all time after his £72m switch from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018.

The Spaniard won the Europa League and Champions League with the Blues and had loan spells with Real Madrid and Bournemouth before joining Arsenal in July 2025.

After joining Liverpool from Roma in 2018, Alisson has been a key cog in the Reds' success over the past eight years.

The Brazilian has been integral to Liverpool lifting two Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, along with two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.

Onana arrived at Manchester United in July 2023 from Inter Milan and was reunited with former Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag but found himself under pressure after making multiple errors.

United brought in Senne Lammens last summer, with Onana set to spend a second successive season on loan with Trabzonspor.

Trafford became the fourth-most expensive goalkeeper ever on Thursday after completing his move from Manchester City to Leeds for a reported £40million plus bonuses.

The 23-year-old joins Leeds on a five-year contract having spent one season at City, where he found himself as second-choice to Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Ederson joined Manchester City from Benfica in June 2017 and spent eight years at the Etihad, winning 18 major honours.

He helped the team to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a Champions League and was a three-time Golden Glove winner, often competing with Brazilian counterpart Alisson for the honour, before leaving for Fenerbahce.

Courtois departed Chelsea for a similar fee to Ederson with his switch to Real Madrid in 2018, coinciding with Kepa's arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian has enjoyed a successful spell in the Spanish capital, winning three LaLiga crowns and two Champions League trophies.

Chevalier completed a reported move of 40 million euros last summer from Lille to Ligue 1 rivals Paris St Germain.

However, the French goalkeeper ended up battling for the starting spot with Matvey Safonov, who lined up between the sticks for the bulk of the second half of the campaign.

Buffon made the switch from Parma to Juventus in 2001 and his transfer fee stood for over a decade as the most expensive for a goalkeeper.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to play the game, the Italian spent 17 years with Juve and returned to the club following a brief spell with PSG, ending his career with Parma at the age of 45 after 975 club appearances and 176 caps for the Azzurri.

In 2019, Cillessen made the switch from Barcelona to Valencia for a reported 35million euros (£31.4m).

The Dutchman only spent three years with the club before returning to NEC Nijmegen, where he began his career.

Pickford was Everton's club-record signing in 2017 after arriving from boyhood side Sunderland, who had just been relegated from the Premier League.

The move at the time made him the most expensive British goalkeeper ever and he has since been a constant presence between the sticks for the Toffees and England, winning 91 caps for his country with his most recent appearances at this summer's World Cup.

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