James Trafford's Leeds United contract examined: Wages, duration and amortisation

James Trafford has had a positive impact since signing for Leeds United in the summer.

Daniel Farke was keen to bring in a new shot-stopper after the failings of Lucas Perri last season.

It was made all the more necessary when Karl Darlow departed at the end of his contract to join Manchester United.

The Whites took their chance and brought in the Englishman after linking up with the Three Lions over the summer.

There was widespread excitement when the 23-year-old came through the door and that hasn't stopped.

Trafford has had a largely excellent start to life at Elland Road as we assess what we know about his contract.

What is James Trafford's Leeds United wage?

The shot-stopper is coming off the year being stuck on the bench at Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola brought him in from Burnley, but ultimately signed Gianluigi Donnarumma in the same summer as the new number one at the Etihad.

It made total sense for him to move on and Leeds were the beneficiaries.

That isn't to say that they haven't paid their way to land his signature.

Valuball reports that Trafford is earning £100,000-per-week in Yorkshire, at a yearly salary in the region of £5.2million.

That ranks him as the fourth highest paid player at Elland Road, but he does sit top of the tree in other metrics.

How much are Trafford paying for Trafford per year?

Having paid a fee that has the potential to rise to £45m for the keeper, they tied him down to a five-year deal.

That is an ideal scenario for the Whites as it allows them to spread that fee over the course of his contract.

It is reported that the amortisation payments for the Englishman come in at £8.8m for the 2026/27 season and £9.8m until the summer of 2031.

That represent the highest current fee that the LS11 club are paying, narrowly ahead of fellow new signing Tarik Muharemovic.

Although many may see that as a large spend, it could prove to be worth it's weight in gold.

Should Trafford help Farke's side to Europe this season or in the near future, that £8m yearly fee will look like a bargain.