Auston Trusty has admitted it is a "surreal" feeling to join Arsenal following his deadline day move to the club.
The Gunners had an extremely quiet January transfer window but they were able to sign Trusty from Colorado Rapids on Monday evening, with the 23-year-old being sent back on loan to the Denver-based side for the remainder of the campaign.
Now, the commanding defender, who will join up with the rest of the north London club's first-team squad in July, has admitted how happy he has been since completing the move to the Emirates Stadium.
"It’s just surreal really," he told Colorado Rapids’ official Twitter account.
"It’s been a long process, been a long way, a dream of mine since I was a little kid. Arsenal was actually my first team I ever played for when I was in little club.
"Really speechless – it’s such a big club, a big opportunity and just honoured to be in the position I am today.
"I’m just thankful and ready to go."
The young centre-back was a surprising signing to many given the Gunners will have Gabriel Magalhaes, Benjamin White, William Saliba, Rob Holding and Pablo Mari at their disposal.
However, head coach Mikel Arteta has previously made it clear that he prefers to utilise a left-footed defender at left-centre-back and given Mari was reportedly unhappy with his game time before completing a loan move to Serie A side Udinese, Trusty may have been signed as a backup to the aforementioned Gabriel.
The former Manchester City assistant coach explained the need for a left-footed defender when Mari signed back in 2020, claiming that it offered more options in the build-up phase.
"Mari balances what I want to do from the backline," he said when his countryman joined. "He gives more options, more solutions, he opens up the pitch more."
