There is a map of the world on the kitchen wall that shows how far James Trafford has already travelled in his first year with Manchester City.

At his family's home in Greysouthen, near Cockermouth, it highlights all the countries the young goalkeeper has visited in his opening 12 months with the Premier League club.

Ticked off the list are Malaysia, Latvia, Spain, France and Greece. Others will inevitably follow. It is a globetrotting life for the 13-year-old who is relishing every moment of his opportunity with City's academy.

A collection of medals, trophies and mementos is also increasing with impressive speed. The farmer's lad, previously on Carlisle United's books, has taken so well to life with the big boys that England's age group coaches are paying him close attention.

Many years from now, James will hope to walk out at the Etihad Stadium in a team chosen by Pep Guardiola or whichever other globally famous manager will be in charge by then.

Yet he has already done that too - the walking from the tunnel bit, at least. He and his Under-13 team-mates were invited to do a lap of honour around the stadium at half-time in January's Premier League game against Everton.

This was in recognition of the City youngsters winning the SuperMokh Cup in Malaysia the previous month. James saved a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Malaysia Tigers, before City overcame Rayo Vallecano in the final.

A 53,796 crowd at the Etihad were duly invited to show the boys their appreciation. "I was nervous before we came out," James admits. "But it was great."

Time has flown since James' starring performances for Carlisle's academy teams caught the attention of several top-flight scouts. His decision to join City last year has seen him benefit from elite facilities and coaching at City's campus, while it also required him to leave home and stay with 'house parents', as he now attends St Bede's College, the school where City educate their academy players.

He is in good company there, for Guardiola's children have also been enrolled at St Bede's, along with Roy Keane's daughter, Wilfried Bony's son, Gael Clichy's son and Willy Caballero's daughters.

While football is the focus, rules are still strict: if homework isn't done, detentions are enforced and City are informed. "It can be hard to fit it all in," James says. "But it's good. I've met loads of new people and I'm enjoying it."

At City there is training four days a week, and matches on Sundays. Nothing is left to chance with the club's nurturing of youth. There is plenty of one-to-one training, while the youngsters are weighed and have their height measured regularly.

The youngsters are also able to rub shoulders with City's women's team, and stars like Steph Houghton, at their training facilities.

On the pitch, meanwhile, James has been on a great learning curve and so far adapted well.

The tournament in Malaysia was his first tour with his young team-mates, as they explored landmarks like the Batu Caves, Petronas Twin Towers and the Lord Murugan Statue - as well as winning the trophy.

Then came the Riga Cup in Latvia, where City finished fifth. A semi-final appearance followed in the Mediterranean International Cup in Barcelona. Later, James and City also competed in the Elite Neon Cup in Greece.

There was also eyecatching progress on English soil, for at the prestigious Under-13 national finals at Warwick, James was named goalkeeper of the tournament.

Also in April, he was invited to an England goalkeeper camp. Since then, he has been called up by the England Under-15 squad for several days of coaching at Loughborough University. James was the youngest keeper to be assessed, while he is hoping to make the grade for games against Turkey and Belgium in the coming months.

It has since been revealed that England Under-21s' head goalkeeping coach has been watching James since the age of nine, and throughout his time on Carlisle's books under the coaching of Ben Benson, who is now with Blackburn.

Carlisle, he says, already "feels a long time ago," though the Traffords keep in touch with Benson, and James often returns home, to see his family and friends, before embarking on a train and tram journey back to Manchester.

One particular week, travelling to and from his new environment, saw James clock up 1,000 miles, but he has adapted well to the travelling routine, while his parents, James and Alison, have been impressed with how City are looking after a boy who, they proudly say, is probably the most northern and definitely the only farmer's son on their books.

"You couldn't ask for a nicer football club," says James senior. "The welfare people are great. That gives you peace of mind. His house parents are really down to earth and it hasn't taken him long to settle in."

There were, Alison admits, some tears at the start of this journey - but since then only excitement at what might come next for this talented young Cumbrian, who is also now the proud owner of a signed Champions League shirt and gloves from Joe Hart.

"I'm loving it," James says. "Definitely no regrets."