Reports surfaced last year claiming Kroenke Sports & Entertainment planned to create deeper connections between their sporting franchises, with the aim to share information across their network that will allow Arsenal to expand scouting operations in North America.
In an attempt to kickstart those plans, Auston Trusty was signed from Kroenke-owned Colorado Rapids. At the time, no one saw a future for him at Arsenal considering it was all part of a business move, and although that may turn out to be true, his transfer could prove more beneficial than initially anticipated.
The central defender joined Birmingham City on a season-long loan last summer and has taken the Sky Bet Championship by storm since. A number of bright displays for the Blues have seen Trusty become a real fans' favourite at St. Andrew’s, with supporters often chanting “USA” in support of the 24-year-old. 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 three goals and one assist.
