Arsenal loanee Auston Trusty has revealed how Kroenke Sports & Entertainment helped him complete a shock move from Colorado Rapids back in January last year.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departing alongside several other squad players, supporters were left perplexed when an unknown Trusty was announced as the club's only January signing. Amid the confusion - and frustration - amongst fans, reports soon surfaced which did offer some clarity as to why the move for Trusty was sanctioned.
It was part of KSE's plan to create deeper connections between their sporting franchises, with the aim to share information across their network that would allow Arsenal to expand scouting operations in North America. In an attempt to kickstart those plans, Trusty was signed from Kroenke-owned Colorado Rapids in what ultimately turned out to be a business move.
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Promising performances for the Rapids saw Trusty attract interest from several European clubs, but speaking to GOAL, the 24-year-old explained how Kroenke's connection made Arsenal his only priority.
"I just put every other team to one side and focused on them," Trusty said. "I’m sure it definitely helped that the Kroenke's were there. If there is that relationship there you definitely want to take advantage it, if that makes things smoother. It’s a business deal, so there is a lot of friction that goes on. If you can limit the amount of friction, then why not."
When his transfer was announced, Arsenal confirmed that Trusty would remain in Colorado until the end of the season before heading out on loan for the 2022/23 campaign to further his development. Following his arrival in England last summer, the defender swiftly completed a loan move to Birmingham City and hasn't looked back since.
Trusty has taken the Sky Bet Championship by storm, with a number of bright displays resulting in him becoming a real fans' favourite at St. Andrew’s. As well as proving to be an absolute brick wall in the heart of Birmingham’s backline, Trusty has also played a key role going forward, bagging four goals and one assist, including a dramatic 97th minute winner against Swansea just over a week ago.
The message coming out of the Birmingham City camp is loud and clear: they would love for Trusty to stay put beyond this season. However, the centre back remained defiant to stamp down a place at the Emirates when asked what his Arsenal ambitions are.
"To get there (Arsenal) and play every single game," he said. "That’s the mindset I have. I want to go there, show what I can do and make my mark in the Premier League and on the team. It’s all a stepping stone, but that’s the main goal. The sky's the limit really."
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