Sheffield United and Arsenal have announced that USA international Auston Trusty has completed a permanent move to The Blades.

• Auston Trusty signs a permanent deal with Sheffield United after leaving Arsenal.
• Trusty was named Birmingham City’s Player of the Season after a successful loan spell in the 2022/23 season.
• Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom expresses delight at securing Trusty’s transfer, highlighting his international experience and desire to succeed in the Premier League.

USA international Auston Trusty has signed a permanent deal, moving from Arsenal to Sheffield United in a deal believed to be worth around £5m, marking the latest exciting chapter in his rapidly progressing career.

Fresh from the MLS

Trusty made the jump from Major League Soccer to England in January 2022, initially with the Colorado Rapids, before joining Birmingham City on loan for the 2022/23 season.

At Birmingham, the defender’s consistent performances over 48 appearances led to him being crowned the Championship side’s Player of the Season.

His commendable performance earned him his first international cap for the United States in March 2023, where he played a part in a resounding 7-1 victory over Grenada. These accomplishments, coupled with his transfer to Sheffield United, reflect his ambition to solidify his presence on the international stage and in the Premier League.

Words from Arsenal and Sheffield United

Arsenal’s Sporting Director Edu praised Trusty’s progression, stating, “If you look at him when he joined us compared to now when he is leaving us, he has achieved so much.”

The Sheffield United management also showed great enthusiasm about the transfer. Blades Chief Paul Heckingbottom expressed his delight, stating that Trusty’s international experience and desire to succeed are key assets to the team.

“I’m delighted we’ve managed to get this one over the line, it is one of the positions we’ve been looking to fill and it is with one our own, a permanent transfer rather than a loan,” Heckingbottom said.

“He is at a good age to progress, he has experience having played at international level and in the Championship last year, where we monitored him and he picked up Birmingham’s player of the year award. As a coaching team we feel that he has the athleticism and desire to succeed in the Premier League.”

Auston Trusty on the move

“I am more than excited. The opportunity to be here at this historic club, and an opportunity to play in the Premier League and show my ability, it is everything I could have ever dreamed of growing up as a kid,” Trusty told the official Sheffield United site.

“In Pennsylvania, this was a dream – almost an impossible dream but I believed in myself and the opportunity has come around, it is everything that I dreamed for.

“It is crazy how quick things happen in football. I have just come back from a US tour with Arsenal and a couple of days later I am sitting here doing this interview. Things did happen very quick, but that’s how football works.

“I was really looking for an opportunity so as soon as it came about, things and details were ironed out. I am here, I wasn’t wasting any time.

“Everything is coming to fruition for me. I am in the right place at the right time and in the right mindset. Everything has come together how I dreamed it.”

Trusty’s journey to the Premier League

Trusty, a Pennsylvania native, began his career at local clubs before joining the Philadelphia Union’s youth setup. Following two seasons with Bethlehem Steel, Union’s reserve team, he debuted for Philadelphia against the New England Revolution in March 2018.

In 2019, Trusty made his way to Stan Kroenke’s Colorado Rapids, where he spent two successful years.

His move to England with Arsenal in 2022 saw him immediately loaned into the English Football League with Birmingham City, where he was named their Player of the Season.

Now, after an impressive season at St Andrew’s, Trusty is all set to take on the Premier League with Sheffield United.

With this move, Trusty becomes Sheffield United’s fourth signing of the summer, following Anis Slimane, Yasser Larouci and Bénie Traoré.

Arsenal sign Trusty

18 months ago, Arsenal secured the signing of then 23-year-old defender Auston Trusty, who was then playing for Colorado Rapids.

Following a similar transfer pattern as New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, Trusty was added to Arsenal’s ranks.

His arrival was welcomed after a dry spell in the Arsenal-Colorado link-up that hadn’t borne much fruit.

Trusty stood out as a consistent performer for the Colorado Rapids. A statement on their website acknowledged his exceptional 2021 season, in which Trusty played a critical role in helping them finish at the top of the Western Conference.

Auston Trusty was not just a player; he was a symbol of the club’s commitment to nurturing top young players and providing them with the platform to flourish.

His experience with the U.S. Men’s National Team was a considerable asset, and he proved to be instrumental in leading Colorado Rapids to the top of the Western Conference.

Trusty’s time at Arsenal, although short and without an official appearance for the club, marked an important step in his career and provided a platform for this latest move.