‘Sign him up’ – Newcastle fans want Championship goalkeeper after celebration aimed at arch-rivals
Today at 05:41 AM
Newcastle fans are desperate for James Trafford to join the club after seeing his celebration against Sunderland.
In a huge top-of-the-table Championship clash at Turf Moor, the England youth international saved two penalties to seal a 0-0 draw for Burnley.
He denied Wilson Isidor in the 86th minute before stopping him again in stoppage time.
Trafford is a player that Newcastle admire and have watched for a long time.
A summer move to Tyneside never transpired, but talkSPORT understands the Magpies are contemplating a January offer for the goalkeeper.
And it was the recreation of a Newcastle player’s celebration that convinced many Toon fans that Trafford should move to St James’ Park.
After saving the second Isidor spot kick, the 22-year-old turned around, raised two hands as guns and imitated shooting in the direction of the away end.
This celebration has become Alexander Isak‘s trademark.
The Swede is on an incredible scoring run, bagging in his last eight Premier League games, and throughout this streak, he celebrates by knee-sliding and then raising his fingers to form guns.
With Martin Dubravka‘s proposed transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Shadab now off, that could postpone any move for Trafford until this summer.
But after seeing Trafford re-create the Isak celebration, these Toon fans want the shot-stopper at St James’ Park now.
One said: “Sign him up, Eddie.”
Another added: “This is so cold. Gotta bring him at this point.”
And someone else said: “He’s on his way.”
Trafford has enjoyed an excellent season for the Clarets.
He has only conceded 17 goals in 26 games and kept nine clean sheets.
Trafford is one of the major reasons why Scott Parker‘s men are second in the table.
Speaking to Sky Sports after denying Isidor twice, the goalkeeper said: “I was surprised he stepped up twice, to be fair.
“We watched his pens yesterday, and I think he hit four in the middle and to my right, so we thought to stand in that gap and react.
“He did it for the first one and the second, I thought, ‘He’s not going to do the same thing twice’, and I dived and saved it.”
Isidor has since issued an apology to Black Cats supporters.
He said: “Feel like a big slap in the face, and the worst day of my life because all of us know how I love this club. Even if only act on the pitch can make forgive, I would like to apologise on my teammates, every single fans and all the person of this club for what happened tonight.
“I feel really ashamed, but I promise you that I will come back stronger from this! See you Tuesday, HWTL.and also big love for all messages of support from the real one.”
Both stops from Trafford were sensational, and they ensured that Burnley maintained their two-point lead over Sunderland.
And after the celebration against the Toon’s arch-rivals, it’s clear that many Newcastle fans want to see Trafford arrive at St James’ Park sooner rather than later.
