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Fullname: Auston Levi-Jesaiah Trusty
aka: Auston Trusty
Born: 8 September 2003
Birthplace: Media, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Signed: 30 August 2024 (from Sheffield Utd est £5m)
Left: –
Position: Defender, Centre-half
Debut: Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava, European Cup, 18 Sep 2024 (subbed on late)
Squad No.: 6
Internationals: USA
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
The American born & raised Auston Trusty arrived at a Celtic bolstered by some major signings over the summer, and he himself was one of the more pricey ones. His general remit was to be the one to partner the highly lauded Carter Vickers in the centre of the defence, but with CCV often out injured he was expected to be a regular starter. Mixed responses from supporters of his previous clubs meant there was uncertainty and some concern on what he’d bring.
One key point was that he was deemed to be very much left footed in play, a rarity in the game but could have its advantages too. However, on occasion sometimes used ridiculously to criticise his play from one eyed observers. A major challenge from the off was the competition for the centre-half role having to compete again Scales but also Welsh & Nawrocki.
Season 2024/25
He made his debut being subbed on late on the already settled 5-1 win v Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League opening match (Sep 2024). The difficult point from this game was that the centre-half pairings who started that match (Carter-Vickers and Scales) dominated the defence and put on stellar performances, demonstrating the tough challenge ahead for Trusty.
He made his starting debut v second tier Falkirk in the league cup, feedback was that he was below par on the day but Celtic still romped home to win 5-2 albeit incredibly Celtic were behind twice during the game.
He soon won plaudits with an excellent performance away v Europa league trophy holders Atalanta, 0-0 draw, in a backs to the walls performance after the debacle of the 7-1 defeat to Dortmund. Celtic were expected to lose (badly) yet held out with both centre halves (Scales and Trusty) putting in a shift. Some even attributed his tough experience at the underfire Sheffield Utd to have provided a major contribution here. As The Scotsman newspaper lauded him:
“This could be the game that announces the American as a Celtic player. Under scrutiny following an inauspicious start to his career in Glasgow, the summer signing for Sheffield United was so strong in the air, repelling almost every Atalanta cross that came his way. Can be delighted with his evening in Bergamo – a monster at the back.”
From then on, he had to fight for his position with Liam Scales, and often they rotated for the position beside the peerless Carter Vickers. The league cup final won v TheRangers (Dec 2024) highlighted their strengths & weaknesses after Scales replaced Trusty at halftime as Rodgers chased a more attacking game.
Despite that, Rodgers did keep faith in Trusty who in his next match scored his debut goal in a 3-0 win over St Mirren (Jan 2025). He was a key starter in a number of notably games, such as the key matches against Young Boys of Berne (1-0 Jan 2025) and both legs v Bayern Munich). Must be added that his work in part that helped Celtic score away v Bayern that helped keep the ties alive. He had a decent match in the second leg v Bayern, which was only drawn at the death, but journalist Graham Spier opined: “As for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty: Celtic have a pair of terrific centre-backs (that’s 1970s speak)”.
However, the centre half pick seemed to swing back & forth between Scales & Trusty, but by the final quarter of the season, the decision seemed to be more with Scales, with Trusty seeming to be well out of the picture. Partly his was due to injury, but really confidence seemed to have dipped with Trusty in defence, with even some calls for Nawrocki to be given further opportunities. Trusty was actually a decent player but wasn’t proving that he was significantly better than the other options, and his lack of pace and poor turn was a major issue for a Celtic side trying to push ahead in Europe nevermind domestically. In fairness, had had enough to support his case after some great performances in European matches, but there was a lack of confidence in him.
He wasn’t written off but it was quite a hectic debut season for the player.
Season 2025/26
[….]
Quotes
“This could be the game that announces the American as a Celtic player. Under scrutiny following an inauspicious start to his career in Glasgow, the summer signing for Sheffield United was so strong in the air, repelling almost every Atalanta cross that came his way. Can be delighted with his evening in Bergamo – a monster at the back.”
The Scotsman after 0-0 draw away to Atlanta in Champions League
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-player-ratings-and-gallery-in-huge-champions-league-display-two-10s-the-monster-and-diminished-force-4837518
“It all worked out in my favour,”
Auston Trusty, reflecting on choosing Sheffield United ahead of Sevco interest in 2022 (March 2025)
–
Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2024-25 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 37 |
| Goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025-26 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2026-27 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2027-28 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
- 2024-25, […]
Scottish Cup
- […]
Scottish League Cup
- 2024-25, […]
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Articles
Auston Trusty confirmed Celtic contract and fee details emerge as ex-hero Odsonne Edouard gets new club
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/auston-trusty-reveals-why-he-chose-celtic-as-contract-and-fee-details-emerge-for-sheff-utd-transfer-4763521Published 30th Aug 2024, 20:19 BST
Updated 30th Aug 2024, 20:30 BST
American defender pens long-term contract and explains Rodgers role
Celtic have completed the signing of American defender Auston Trusty from Sheffield United.
The 26-year-old left-sided centre-half has agreed a five-year deal with Celtic, subject to international clearance, and could be available for Sunday’s Old Firm clash against Rangers. The Parkhead side have not disclosed the fee, but it is understood that Celtic have paid in region of £5 million for the USA internationalist.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has been keen to add another defender to his ranks and Trusty will compete with compatriot Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh for a place in the starting XI.
Celtic are still expected to be active in the transfer window before it closes at 11pm tonight, with Belgian midfielder Arne Engels set to sign in a big-money move from Augsburg. They are also weighing up a bid for Dundee playmaker Luke McCowan, who is also wanted by Hibs.
On Trusty’s arrival, Rodgers said: “We are so pleased to sign Auston and he is a really welcome addition to our squad. He is a quick, strong, athletic defender with great ability and good experience and a player who has done really well to make his way to the USA national squad.
Auston Trusty has agreed a five-year deal at Celtic.
Auston Trusty has agreed a five-year deal at Celtic. | Getty Images
“We are really looking forward to working with Auston. I know he is really excited to be joining Celtic and looking forward to facing the challenges ahead and playing his part as we strive to bring our fans success once again.”
Trusty, who started his career at Arsenal and has been capped twice by the States, said: “I feel ecstatic. It’s just such an historic and amazing club, and it’s a club I’ve known about since I was a little kid. Growing up in Philadelphia, football wasn’t such a popular sport but I knew Celtic, I knew who Celtic were. It’s a dream come true to join this club and such a massive organisation.” “The manager told me to be the best that I can be, that’s off the pitch, as a teammate and everything on the pitch. He said that he believes in me and believes in everything I can do, it’s up to me and he’ll provide me with the environment where I can thrive.
“I’m looking forward to meeting all the guys as well. From what I’ve heard it’s a great environment around the club too so I’m looking forward to it.”
‘Here for a reason’: Celtic ace lifts lid on tough start and delivers Champions League verdict fans will love
By Graham Falk
Sports Writer
Comments
Published 9th Nov 2024, 22:31 GMT
Auston Trusty believes Celtic’s successful start to the season is all down to the club’s mentality.
“I’m just doing my thing,” grinned Celtic defender Auston Trusty following his colossal defensive display in the 3-1 Champions League win over Red Bull Leipzig on Tuesday.
Appearing from the Celtic Park dressing room at just past 11pm, the Pennsylvania native had just shackled £50million-rated striker Benjamin Sesko a few hours beforehand but oozed a calmness and composure as he spoke to the media, his imposing figure basking in the glow of the blinding floodlights.
“I’m here for a reason,” said Trusty. “Any chance I get, I’m going to take it. The games come thick and fast here, which is hard but also a blessing. These are big important games for a historic club. I rolled my ankle pretty bad in the first-half. It was hurting for the rest of the game.
“But you play for these nights and these kind of atmospheres. As a little kid, you’re dreaming of playing on this field and in this environment, I’m not going to let a little ankle strain get me down.”
Despite still clearly feeling some pain his ankle following the game, Trusty showed no signs of discomfort during the 90-plus minutes as he outmuscled Leipzig hotshots Sesko and Loïs Openda. Offering perhaps his best display yet in green and white, Trusty was monstrous at the back as he won 100 per cent of his tackles, 100 per cent of his ground duels and completed 98 per cent of his passes accurately.
Brought in on deadline day for a fee for £5million from Sheffield United, the American defender had to be patient upon arrival at Celtic Park. However, after making his tenth consecutive start for the club against Leipzig, his outstanding form coupled with Celtic’s seemingly unstoppable momentum makes it easy to forget how challenging Trusty’s start in the east end of Glasgow was.
Defensive duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales had just broken a 118-year club record by keeping six consecutive league clean sheets, but when Trusty was first brought into the team, they conceded their first goals of the domestic season on his full debut as second-tier Falkirk breached the Celtic twice in the first-half of a 5-2 Premier Sports Cup win.
With Carter-Vickers suffering an injury, Trusty kept his place and was thrust into the limelight, getting his first Champions League start for the club away to Borussia Dortmund, but with Rodgers’ side destroyed 7-1 at Signal Iduna Park, it was a night to forget for club and player alike. A narrow 2-1 victory at Ross County followed by a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen had kept Celtic top but saw 12 goals lost in just four games, coinciding with Trusty’s introduction to the side.
Auston Trusty battles for the ball with Yussuf Poulsen. Cr: SNS Group.
Auston Trusty battles for the ball with Yussuf Poulsen. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group
His inauspicious start to life in Glasgow had naturally left some in doubt of the player’s talent, but his warrior-like display in the 0-0 draw with Atalanta offered supporters a glimpse into his abilities. Three weeks on from that night in Bergamo, Trusty has progressed rapidly at Celtic with a series of outstanding performances that have saw him win the battle to partner Carter-Vickers in defence.
Assessing his first three months with the champions, the assured American clearly didn’t lose any self-belief in those challenging first few weeks, as he revealed one of the key reasons he wanted to join the club.
“I am confident and I know I play in a confident team,” said Trusty. “Unfortunately football is like that. Dortmund didn’t miss that day, everything went their way. It sucks, but it is football, you have to accept it and move on. You live it, and you learn it, and you can only move forward.
“When I was deciding to come here, knowing that was an option [playing with Carter-Vickers] makes it exciting. To have two American centre-backs playing side-by-side in big important games is amazing. [Kasper Schmeichel] is class too, he is the real deal. It’s really good as a centre-back to know you have someone like that behind you. He really is a class player, it is an honour to play with him.”
Auston Trusty takes in the atmosphere before Celtic’s game against Atalanta last month. Cr: SNS Group.
Auston Trusty takes in the atmosphere before Celtic’s game against Atalanta last month. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group
While the big defender admits the intoxicating atmosphere of Tuesday’s night 3-1 victory against RB Leipzig was a life-affirming experience, it won’t detract from the bread and butter of a Scottish Premiership title fight, with Sunday’s encounter with Kilmarnock providing a completely different challenge.
“Coming here, you hear the stories,” Trusty smiles. “My debut was in the Champions League [as a substitute against Slovan Bratislava]. But to start this game, to be in this environment, it is a dream come true. The gaffer and the coaching staff don’t allow us to treat any game differently, though. We prepare for a Champions League match and a league match in the same way, with the same intensity.
“We, as a team, have to create our own environment. We have to train with a certain mentality. I’ve played on astroturf before, but football is football. It is different pitches, and you adjust. It is all mentality. The coaching staff don’t let us slip from that.”