Who is Auston Trusty? MLS defender set for Arsenal transfer as deal agreed

Arsenal’s January transfer deadline day took a surprise turn when the Gunners announced the signing of Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty.

The 23-year-old has joined the Premier League club on a permanent deal, but will stay with the Rapids until July when Arsenal hope to send him out on loan to a European side.

Trusty was recently called up to the American national team’s January training camp, though is yet to make his international bow on a senior level.

He has impressed since joining the Rapids from Philadelphia Union, starting all but one game as Robin Fraser’s side finished top of the MLS’ Western Conference last season.

With Trusty at centre-back, they secured the second-best defensive record in their conference, though they were dumped out of the play-offs at the semi-final stage by the Portland Timbers.

While it does appear to be a strange move from Arsenal, the fact that the Rapids are also owned by Stan Kroenke may clear the strategy up somewhat.

According to The Athletic, the Gunners have been ‘exploring the possibility’ of bringing in a Rapids player for some time.

That has started with Trusty, who is rated highly by the hierarchy in Colorado, with the club’s general manager Padraig Smith hailing the 23-year-old for the performances that have earned him a dream move.

“Auston is coming off an exceptional season in 2021 in which he played a vital role in helping us finish atop the Western Conference for the first time in our history,” Smith said.

“We remain committed to bringing through the top young players from Colorado and across the United States and to providing them with a platform to flourish, achieve success in MLS and earn the chance to make a move to Europe.

“Auston’s outstanding