England hero James Trafford said he KNEW he was going to save a penalty in the Under-21 Euro final.

The Cumbrian goalkeeper was the dramatic star of England’s victory over Spain with an injury-time spot-kick save.

And the 20-year-old from Greysouthen later said he had already told his friends back home that he was destined to keep out a Spanish penalty.

“I told everyone this morning I was gonna save a pen,” said Trafford, speaking in broadcast interviews after England’s 1-0 win.

“When it was [awarded] I knew I was gonna save it.

“It was pretty easy, to be honest – I told all my mates back home I was gonna save one…”

Trafford followed his penalty save from Abel Ruiz with a follow-up save as England held onto their lead in dramatic circumstances.

The keeper’s heroics meant England U21s are European champions for the first time since 1984.

Former Carlisle United academy keeper Trafford did not concede a single goal in the tournament.

“I’m very happy for the team, very happy for all my family and friends and for the coaching staff,” he added.

“It was a massive group effort and we delivered – it’s what we set out for at the start of the tournament and we achieved it, and we’re all really proud of ourselves.”

Trafford was critical of his own performance in the final, saying: “I could have played perfectly but I didn’t, so that could have been better.”

But he said he was proud of his part in England’s remarkable record of six consecutive clean sheets from start to finish in the tournament.

“It means a lot for us, the record,” said the Manchester City keeper, who has been linked with a big-money move to Burnley.

“We’re a very good team and believed no-one could score against us, and we showed it.”

On England’s plans after the final, the former Dean Primary and Cockermouth Secondary School boy said: “I think we’re gonna go to a hotel and then fly back home in the early hours.

“We’ll celebrate as a team. We don’t need to do anything special to celebrate because we’re really close as a team and get on so well.”

Trafford was one of two Cumbrians to get his hands on a winner's medal and the Euro trophy.

Wigton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who played in England's group stage win over Germany, was also at the heart of the celebrations.