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Leeds United completed the club-record signing of England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City on Thursday, ending one of the biggest transfer sagas of their summer. The Whites have paid around £45m to land the 23-year-old, making him the most expensive player in the club’s history. Trafford has also signed a lucrative contract that will see him become Leeds’ highest-paid player. Daniel Farke made signing a new first-choice goalkeeper one of his top priorities this summer after losing faith in Lucas Perri following an inconsistent debut campaign. The Leeds boss ultimately decided the Brazilian was not the long-term answer between the posts, paving the way for Trafford’s arrival. The need for a new goalkeeper became even more acute after Karl Darlow rejected an offer of a new contract from Leeds to join arch-rivals Manchester United earlier in the summer. Read More: Man City chief makes honest James Trafford admission: “Leeds United are getting…” Ex-Leeds star gets a promotion at Manchester United Leeds believed that Darlow would agree to sign a new contract and stay at Elland Road after he finished last season as the club’s number 1 goalkeeper. However, the veteran goalkeeper decided against signing the new contract on offer at Leeds and crossed the bridge to join Manchester United on a free transfer. Daniel Farke never guaranteed Karl Darlow the number one shirt for next season, prompting the veteran goalkeeper to accept the chance to become Manchester United’s second-choice keeper at Old Trafford. The path is now clear for the Welshman to establish himself as Manchester United’s second-choice goalkeeper after Celta Vigo confirmed the signing of Altay Bayindir today. Manchester United have agreed to send him on loan to the Spanish club, who will have the option to make the move permanent for around £3.5 million. Darlow will now be the number 2 to Senne Lammens, with Tom Heaton being the third-choice keeper at Old Trafford. James Trafford is a huge upgrade on Karl Darlow Karl Darlow did well to settle things down at the back for Leeds in the last two seasons. He came in to replace Illan Meslier towards the end of the promotion campaign to make Leeds more solid and did the same last season when Lucas Perri flattered to deceive. However, James Trafford is on another level and has several years ahead of him as a top goalkeeper. Farke couldn’t guarantee Darlow anything when the 23-year-old was in the pipeline this summer. Leeds have decisively upgraded their number 1 goalkeeper this summer, and no one is missing Darlow after Trafford arrived.