Birmingham City have confirmed the transfer of Arsenal’s Auston Trusty on a season long loan.
The Gunners signed the 23-year-old from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids in the winter transfer window, before loaning the American back to the Rapids until the season’s end.
In the next step of the American’s development, the powers that be at Arsenal have deemed Birmingham the environment to channel the defender’s talent.
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Trusty himself is optimistic about the loan, and speaking to Birminghham’s social media he said:
"It feels great! I am honoured, I am blessed, I am excited for the new chapter and the new challenges.
"I am just really really happy to be here.
"I am a centre-back. I am willing to run, to get stuck into challenges and willing to sacrifice for my teammates.
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"That is the kind of player you are getting from me and are getting for the team.
"I know it is going to be a challenge, I know the intensity is going to be tough. I am just really looking forward to it."
The fact Trusty is under no illusions regarding the intensity of the second tier of English football is a good omen.
Such intensity and combativeness often catches players out when they move to England, with intensity and physicality often winning out against technical quality in the lower divisions of domestic football.
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Trusty is somewhat unknown to Gunners faithful, with only those familiar with the MLS having real familiarity with the American.
A loan move seemed inevitable when Trusty was signed, a move amplified by the returning William Saliba, fresh off winning Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year award.
Some may raise eyebrows that a recently-signed 23-year-old is already being loaned out to the lower divisions of English football.
However, progress is not linear, and that nonlinearity of player development is what Arteta and co. are counting on.
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Come the end of the 2022/23 season, those at London Colney will be hoping the American returns a polished player, ready to contribute to a Champions League campaign.
Topics: Birmingham City, Arsenal
Jake Lennard