Auston Trusty’s time with English Football League Championship side Birmingham City is closing in on its end, but the American defender will be ending his loan spell with a major recognition at club level.

Trusty was named Birmingham City Supporters’ Player of the Season, the club announced Thursday. The Arsenal loanee enjoyed a stellar first season in England, logging 47 combined appearances for the Blues, scoring four goals and adding two assists.

“It couldn’t have gone better,” Trusty told the Birmingham Mail after winning the award. “Obviously if we had done better in the table and better in the season, that would have put the icing on the cake, but to have this year with Birmingham City, with the team, with the fans and the whole organization. 

“It’s my first year over here in Europe and first time on loan, but I didn’t come here thinking this is just for a season, I came here thinking I want to make my mark on an organization,” he added. “I came here and I’m thankful that I have been perceived this way by the fans. It’s been really, really awesome.”

The former Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids defender has only failed to play 90 minutes once this season, as the Blues fought off slim relegation worries to finish outside of the bottom three.

Trusty’s impressive time at St. Andrews also led to the 24-year-old earning his U.S. men’s national team debut in 2023, featuring in a 7-2 Concacaf Nations League victory over Grenada in March. Trusty starred alongside former Union teammate Mark McKenzie in the road victory.

Birmingham City sits 17th in the EFL Championship heading into a final day showdown with Sheffield United on Monday. The Blues could finish the campaign as high as 15th with a home victory paired with defeats for Bristol City and Stoke City.

Trusty is set to rejoin Arsenal this summer for the next chapter of his European career.