Arsenal have completed the signing of Auston Trusty from Colorado Rapids on transfer deadline day.
The 23-year-old defender has been snapped up by the Gunners but will stay on loan with the Rapids until the end of the season.
A statement on Arsenal's website read: "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.
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"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.
"The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes."
The transfer comes as part of a growing relationship between the clubs, who are both by Kroenke Sports Entertainment.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have been looking into the prospect of signing a player from the Rapids for a while, with a view to loaning them out.
Arsenal hosted a number of players from the Rapids on trial at the end of last year and KSE are keen to build on their scouting network in the United States.
A post on the MLS side's website read: "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."
Rapids Executive VP & General Manager, Pádraig Smith, said: "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.
“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.”
It is Arsenal's second signing of what has been a frustrating window for boss Mikel Arteta, following the acquisition of Lino Sousa from West Brom.
Sadly the Arsenal boss has struggled to bring in any new faces to immediately play a part in his squad for the back half of the season despite letting several established players go.
Pablo Mari, Folarin Balogun and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have all departed on loan deals while Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac have moved on permanently.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also looks set to depart before the deadline after Arsenal agreed a deal with Barcelona for his free transfer to the Camp Nou.
