The Gunners have reached an agreement to sign Auston Trusty, Colorado Rapids. However, the defender will remain on loan at the MLS side until the summer.
Arsenal will loan him out to Europe for the 2022/23 seasons. Arsenal plans to make use of that move to further develop the centre-back.
Colorado is part of the same Kroenke Sports & Entertainment company that owns Arsenal. There is no fee for the deal.
Your Career
Trusty was born in Philadelphia USA and represented the national team at both the U19 and U20 levels.
In 2016, Bethlehem Steel, the official affiliate of Philadelphia Union, hired the centre-back to join them. He also continued playing college football.
Trusty would then make the move up to Philadelphia to play before joining Colorado Rapids for 2019. Trusty's career in Colorado was slow at first, but he earned a new contract December 2020 that would tie him down until 2023.
He was a constant presence for the MLS side at last season's MLS, making 34 appearances. He was called up to the senior national team earlier in the month.
Playing Style
Trusty, at six-foot three inches tall, has height to his advantage. Trusty is able to handle long balls forward and while that makes him imposing from set-pieces at both ends, he has only scored three goals over his career.
Trusty is left-footed and has played most of his football at centre back, but Colorado has used him at times as a wingback.
Colorado fans are used seeing him push for the defence and looking aggressive when making interceptions.
Trusty only made five appearances after he joined Colorado. Trusty admitted that adjusting to the new environment was difficult due to circumstances off-the-field.
Trusty stated that "Last Year was difficult with COVID" and other similar issues to the Rapids' official website.
It was a completely different environment. It was difficult for me to get to know everyone on a personal basis. There wasn't a locker room. We didn't have the right environment to get to know one another."
He did however extend his Colorado contract at the end 2020 and the club expressed their appreciation for Trusty's long-term potential.
"We are delighted to announce a new Auston contract," Padraig Smith (Colorada Rapids Executive Vice President & General Manager) said.
"Auston is a talented young defender who has already shown great potential in MLS." We are looking forward to his continued growth over the next years."
