Arsenal have finally signed a player – 23-year-old defender, Auston Trusty, who plays for Colorado Rapids.

Auston Trusty via Colorado Rapids
Auston Trusty via Colorado Rapids

Arsenal are already believed to have signed one player from the MLS – New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, and now they have added a second to their ranks although, like Turner, Austin Trusty, will not join until the summer.

Only a few months back I was pondering the Arsenal – Colorado link-up that was launched with such fanfare but had yielded practically nothing, yet here we are.

SANDY, UTAH - MAY 02: Lucas Cavallini #9 of Vancouver Whitecaps battles for the ball against Auston Trusty #5 of Colorado Rapids at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 02, 2021 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SANDY, UTAH – MAY 02: Lucas Cavallini #9 of Vancouver Whitecaps battles for the ball against Auston Trusty #5 of Colorado Rapids at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 02, 2021 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

A statement on the Colorado Rapids website said, “The Colorado Rapids have reached an agreement with English Premier League side Arsenal FC for the transfer of defender Auston Trusty, the club announced today. Trusty will remain with the Rapids on loan before departing for Europe on July 17.

“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,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager.

“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 performances caught the eye of several European clubs over the past 12 months and we are privileged to be part of an organization with the reach and scale of KSE that allows us to help a player of Auston’s potential further his development and career aspirations in Europe.”

USA's Auston Trusty celebrates scoring during their U-20 World Cup round of 16 football match between the US and New Zealand in Incheon on June 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JUNG Yeon-Je (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
USA’s Auston Trusty celebrates scoring during their U-20 World Cup round of 16 football match between the US and New Zealand in Incheon on June 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JUNG Yeon-Je (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

The statement continued with a breakdown of the players stats; “Trusty, 23, was a mainstay on the Rapids back line in his second season in Colorado. The six-foot-three center back led all Rapids outfield players in 2021 with 2,970 minutes across 33 matches during the regular season, as well as playing all 90 minutes in the club’s Western Conference Semifinal in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

“He scored one goal and added three assists in 2021 and was named the Rapids’ Defender of the Year. Following the 2021 campaign, Trusty was called into the U.S. Men’s National Team’s January training camp in Arizona ahead of their upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches.

“A native of Media, Pennsylvania, Trusty originally joined the Rapids in November 2019 via trade from Philadelphia Union where he spent four seasons after signing a Homegrown Player contract in 2016.

“Trusty made his MLS debut in 2018, and at 20 years old, became the youngest player in league history to play every minute across a full 34-game season that year.”

They then add that Colorado Rapids have completed a six-month loan to take the player back after transferring him to Arsenal.

Arsenal also confirmed the move, writing a much shorter statement; “Defender Auston Trusty has joined the club in a permanent transfer from Colorado Rapids but will remain with the MLS side on loan.

“The USA under-20 international joined Colorado Rapids from Philadelphia Union in November 2019. He has made 41 appearances, notably helping the Rapids finish top of the Western Conference in the 2021 MLS regular season.

“Trusty, 23, will stay with the Colorado Rapids until at least the end of the Premier League season in May. The intention then is to loan him in Europe for the 2022/23 season to further progress his development.”