A lad from Greysouthen has been the centre of English football attention since Saturday night.

And James Trafford has come in for praise from a number of high-profile figures after his England Under-21 penalty heroics.

The Cumbrian goalkeeper’s injury-time penalty save secured European Championships glory for England.

It made 20-year-old Trafford a national hero as he wrote his name into the nation’s football history.

Politicians, star footballers and more queued up to compliment the former Dean Primary and Cockermouth Secondary School boy after his dramatic moment and his remarkable feat of keeping six clean sheets in the tournament.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was quick to congratulate Trafford and the Under-21s.

“They’ve done it! Congratulations England U21s on becoming European champions,” he tweeted. “And to go a whole tournament without conceding – James Trafford take a bow.”

England goalscoring legend Gary Lineker singled out Trafford in his congratulatory message too.

“Trafford centre of attention,” he quipped on social media, adding his applause in light of the keeper’s feat.

Former Manchester City star and BBC pundit Nedum Onuoha paid a high compliment to Trafford by saying his exploits were not a surprise.

The former defender said Trafford has long been regarded as a top player in the making at City.

“It won’t be a surprise to those who have followed his progress and knew he was a big, big prospect,” Onuoha said.

“But the fact he was able to have that moment means he is now a name that all of a sudden people are familiar with.

“He said afterwards he felt ready to save that penalty and not many goalkeepers have the confidence or ability to be ready in such big moments.”

Trafford also earned compliments in the national media, with many observers tipping the Cumbrian to maintain his meteoric rise.

One even suggested the 20-year-old could make a late run into Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad for next year’s Euros.

Alex Richards, deputy editor of Mirror Sport, said of Trafford: “He’s proven himself to be up to every challenge - and then some - in his young career so far and is going to have a huge role to play in the 2023-24 season.

“An outside bet to be one of three keepers at next summer’s Euros.”

Bolton Wanderers' goalkeeping coach Matt Gilks, who worked with Trafford during the Cumbrians' loan spells at the League One club, is also in no doubt that the Cumbrian can hit the very top.

"One hundred per cent, he can do it," Gilks told Sky Sports.

"He still texts me now saying nothing is going to stop him from being England's No 1. He has set that goal and there's absolutely no reason he can't reach that level.

"When you've been in the game for 25 years, like I have, you come across hundreds of goalkeepers and there are very few that really stand out, but James is definitely one of them.

"His athletic profile, the power he produces when he takes off, his reflexes. All the little details we look at are up there."