Sheffield United had been seeking defensive help this summer ahead of its return to the English Premier League and now received some in the form of a thriving American centerback.
Auston Trusty has joined the Blades on a permanent deal from Arsenal, both clubs announced Thursday. Arsenal will receive roughly a £4.58 million transfer fee for Trusty, while the defender signed a four-year contract at Bramall Lane.
Trusty should fit right into the Blades defensive corps, which mainly consists of a three-centerback system.
“I am more than excited,” Trusty said in an interview. “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. 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,” he added. “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.”
Trusty was named Birmingham City Supporters’ Player of the Season after helping John Eustace’s squad to a 17th-place finish while on loan last year. The former Colorado Rapids and Philadelphia Union defender scored four goals and registered two assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.
The 24-year-old impressed with the U.S. men’s national team in March, making his debut in a 7-1 Concacaf Nations League victory over Grenada. Trusty also played the final 11 minutes of June’s 2-0 CNL Finals victory over Canada.
“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,” Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom added. “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.”
Sheffield United finished second in the Championship last season, earning automatic promotion back to the Premier League.