Auston Trusty has spent the last decade proving that a homegrown academy kid from suburban Pennsylvania can climb all the way to Europe’s top leagues. As of 2026, the 27 year old centre back wears the number 6 shirt for Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership and remains firmly in the conversation for the United States men’s national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup. That’s a long way from Media, Pennsylvania, where Trusty grew up as the youngest of six soccer playing siblings before joining the Philadelphia Union academy in 2011.
What makes Auston Trusty‘s career worth following isn’t a single breakout moment. It’s the steady, four league climb: a record setting rookie season in Major League Soccer, a move to Colorado Rapids, a transfer to Arsenal, loan spells in the English Championship, a Premier League debut with Sheffield United, and now a long term deal in Scotland. Add a senior USMNT debut in March 2023, and you get a defender whose résumé quietly outpaces most of his peers.
A Homegrown Defender Who Earned a World Cup Squad Look
Auston Trusty has built a career that stretches from a Pennsylvania backyard all the way to Celtic Park in Glasgow. As of 2026, the 27 year old centre back plays for Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership and remains part of the United States men’s national team picture heading into the FIFA World Cup.
Auston Trusty‘s path ran through the Philadelphia Union academy, a record setting rookie season, a move to Arsenal, and Championship football in England before he found steady minutes north of the border.
Growing Up in Media Pennsylvania as the Youngest of Six
Auston Trusty was born in Media, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 1998, and grew up nearby in Wallingford. He’s the youngest of six children in a family where every sibling played collegiate soccer. His older sister, Onnie Nicholson, went on to represent her country at the international level too, so competitive soccer was part of daily life at home long before he turned professional.
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He first learned the game with Nether United Soccer Club before attending Penncrest High School, where he didn’t only play soccer. Trusty also suited up for basketball, football, and baseball, and he served as student council president. That range of activity built a broad athletic foundation before he ever signed a professional contract.
In 2011, he joined the youth setup at Philadelphia Union, the club that would shape the next several years of his career. Growing up in a large, sports focused household left a clear mark, and that competitive edge still shows in how he defends today.
Auston Trusty Quick Facts at a Glance
Here’s a fast reference table covering the basics before the article moves into his career in more detail.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Auston Levi-Jesaiah Trusty |
| Date of Birth | August 12, 1998 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 27 |
| Birthplace | Media, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Hometown | Wallingford, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Position | Centre back / Defender |
| Current Club | Celtic FC |
| Squad Number | 6 |
| National Team | United States men’s national team |
Signing With Philadelphia Union’s Homegrown Pipeline
Trusty began 2016 with Bethlehem Steel FC in the USL Championship, making 20 appearances as a teenager. That season doubled as a proving ground before the Philadelphia Union made him a bigger promise.
On August 10, 2016, he signed his first MLS contract as a Homegrown Player, becoming the club’s fifth ever academy graduate to earn that deal. It was a clear signal that the Union saw a long term starter, not just squad depth, in the young centre back.
Breakout 2018 Season Set an MLS League Record
As a 20 year old in 2018, He made 34 regular season starts at centre back for Philadelphia Union. He was the only Union player to play every single minute of every regular season match that year, which set a league record for the youngest field player to do that over a full 34 game schedule.
He scored his first career MLS goal off a corner kick against Montreal on September 15, 2018, and added a game winning assist against Sporting Kansas City a week later. That form earned him a spot on the MLS Team of the Week for Week 30, cementing his status as one of the league’s most promising young defenders.
Transfer to Colorado Rapids and Continued Growth
Trusty moved to the Colorado Rapids in 2019, where he spent three seasons building on the reputation he’d earned in Philadelphia. The switch gave him a new system and a new set of veteran teammates to learn from, and it kept him firmly on the radar of U.S. Soccer at the youth international level.
By the time his Rapids spell ended in 2022, Trusty had established himself as a dependable Major League Soccer regular, setting up the biggest move of his career to that point.
Arsenal Transfer Opened the Door to European Football
In 2022, Arsenal signed Trusty, giving the American his first taste of a top flight European academy and first team environment. He initially returned to Colorado Rapids on loan to keep playing regular minutes, a common step for a young defender adjusting to a new continent.
The Arsenal move mattered less for first team appearances and more for what it represented: proof that his Philadelphia Union development had translated into genuine Premier League interest.
Birmingham City Loan Provided Championship Experience
For the 2022 to 2023 season, Arsenal sent Trusty on loan to Birmingham City in the EFL Championship. English second tier football is famously physical and fast, and that loan spell gave him a season of regular senior minutes against experienced, battle tested strikers.
That kind of week to week Championship football is exactly what young defenders need before a permanent move to a bigger league, and it set up his next transfer.
Sheffield United Move Delivered a Premier League Debut
In August 2023, Auston Trusty signed with Sheffield United, and that move finally delivered his Premier League debut. Playing in England’s top flight was a milestone moment, marking how far he’d come since his homegrown days in Philadelphia.
His time at Sheffield United ran into the 2023 to 2024 season, giving him valuable experience at the highest level of English club football before his next transfer to Scotland.
Joining Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership
Trusty signed with Celtic FC on August 30, 2024, taking the number 6 shirt in the Scottish Premiership. His contract runs through June 2029, giving him long term security at one of Britain’s most successful clubs.
As of 2026, Trusty remains a regular part of Celtic’s defensive setup, and his market value, tracked by Transfermarkt, sits at around six million euros, reflecting his steady rise through four different leagues.
USMNT Senior Debut Arrived in March 2023
Auston Trusty represented the United States at every youth level, from the U17s in 2015 through the U23s in 2019, before making his senior national team debut in March 2023.
By 2026, he had earned caps at the senior level and was named among the players U.S. Soccer considered for its 26 player group heading into the FIFA World Cup, a tournament the United States is co-hosting. That inclusion reflects years of steady, unglamorous defensive work finally paying off on the biggest stage.
Playing Style That Defines Auston Trusty as a Centre Back
Trusty’s game centers on physical presence, aerial ability, and composure playing the ball out from the back. Standing at six foot three, he wins duels that shorter defenders can’t, and his preferred left foot gives his side a different passing angle out of defense compared with a typical right footed centre back.
Coaches and teammates have also pointed to his leadership qualities, something that traces back to his high school days as student council president. That combination of size, composure, and voice is exactly what makes a modern centre back valuable.
Career Path Across Four Leagues and Two Continents
Few American defenders can claim first team experience in Major League Soccer, the Premier League, the EFL Championship, and the Scottish Premiership. Auston Trusty’s route through Philadelphia Union, Colorado Rapids, Arsenal, Birmingham City, Sheffield United, and now Celtic shows a player who kept climbing every time a new challenge appeared.
That breadth of experience is part of why U.S. Soccer values him as squad depth heading into a home World Cup, since he’s already adapted to different tactical cultures across two continents.
Personal Information of Auston Trusty
Away from the pitch, Auston Trusty is a family man from Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Here’s what’s publicly known about his personal life as of 2026.
Full Name
Auston Trusty’s full name is Auston Levi-Jesaiah Trusty.
Date of Birth
born on August 12, 1998.
Age
As of 2026, Auston is 27 years old.
Birthplace
born in Media, Pennsylvania, United States.
Nationality
Auston Trusty holds American nationality.
Ethnicity
not publicly disclosed details about his ethnicity.
Religion
not publicly disclosed his religious beliefs.
Education
Auston Trusty completed his schooling at Penncrest High School in Pennsylvania.
Hobbies
Auston Trusty enjoys basketball, football, and baseball, reflecting his multi sport high school background.
Marital Status
Auston’s marital status is married.
Spouse or Partner
Auston Trusty is married to Emily Berardino.
Children
He has one daughter with his wife.
Parents
Auston Trusty’s parents have not been publicly named in available sources.
Siblings
Auston Trusty has five siblings, all of whom played collegiate soccer, including his sister Onnie Nicholson.
Physical Appearance
Auston Trusty’s frame is a big part of why he’s so effective at centre back. Here’s a rundown of his listed physical details as of 2026.
Height
He stands at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm).
Weight
His weights approximately 85 kg (187 lbs).
Eye Color
Auston Trusty’s eye color has not been publicly documented in reliable sources.
Hair Color
He has black hair.
Body Type
Auston Trusty has an athletic, muscular body type suited to his role as a centre back.
Shoe Size
Auston Trusty’s shoe size has not been publicly disclosed.
Tattoos
There is no public record confirming whether Auston Trusty has tattoos.
Piercings
There is no public record confirming whether Auston Trusty has any piercings.
Distinctive Features
Auston Trusty is known for his commanding height and aerial presence in the penalty area.
Social Media Profiles
Auston Trusty is active on Instagram and X, where he shares updates from Celtic, the USMNT, and his personal life.
@austontrusty3
X (Twitter)
@Auston_Trusty
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Auston Trusty?
Auston Trusty stands at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm), which is one reason he’s so effective winning aerial duels as a centre back for Celtic and the USMNT.
What team does Auston Trusty play for in 2026?
As of 2026, Auston Trusty plays for Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership, having signed with the club in August 2024 on a contract through 2029.
Is Auston Trusty married?
Yes. Auston Trusty is married to Emily Berardino, and the couple has one daughter together.
Where was Auston Trusty born?
Auston Trusty was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and grew up nearby in Wallingford before joining the Philadelphia Union academy in 2011.
What position does Auston Trusty play?
Auston Trusty plays centre back, a defensive role where his height, physicality, and left footed passing add real value on the ball.
Did Auston Trusty play for Arsenal?
Yes. Arsenal signed Auston Trusty in 2022, though he spent time on loan at Colorado Rapids and Birmingham City before moving on to Sheffield United and then Celtic.
How many youth national teams did Auston Trusty represent?
Auston Trusty played for the United States at the U17, U19, U20, and U23 levels before earning his senior USMNT debut in March 2023.
Is Auston Trusty part of the 2026 World Cup picture?
As of 2026, Auston Trusty has been included among the defenders U.S. Soccer has called up under Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the World Cup.
What is Auston Trusty’s Instagram handle?
Auston Trusty posts on Instagram under the handle @austontrusty3, where he shares moments from Celtic and the USMNT.
How old is Auston Trusty?
Auston Trusty was born on August 12, 1998, which makes him 27 years old as of 2026.
Did Auston Trusty play in the Premier League?
Yes. Auston Trusty made his Premier League debut with Sheffield United after signing with the club in August 2023.
What is Auston Trusty’s nationality?
He is American, born and raised in Media, Pennsylvania, before his professional career took him to England and Scotland.
Final Word on Auston Trusty’s Career So Far
Auston Trusty‘s story is a useful reminder that a big career doesn’t always announce itself with one viral moment. It builds match by match, loan by loan, and league by league. He went from a homegrown prospect at Philadelphia Union to a record setting rookie, then pushed himself through Colorado Rapids, Arsenal, Birmingham City, and Sheffield United before landing a long term contract at Celtic.
Each stop added something: composure on the ball in MLS, physical toughness in the Championship, and top flight sharpness in the Premier League. That’s the kind of résumé that doesn’t happen by accident.His path also says something about patience. Trusty didn’t force a move before he was ready, and he didn’t chase headlines over playing time.
Instead, he took the loan spells that built his game and the transfers that made sense for his development, which is exactly why he’s now a trusted name in Celtic’s back line and a real option for the USMNT heading into a home World Cup.
For fans trying to understand why Auston Trusty keeps showing up in USMNT conversations, the answer is simple. He’s spent nearly a decade proving himself at increasingly difficult levels, and every club he’s joined has trusted him with real minutes at centre back. That consistency, more than any single highlight, is what separates a squad player from a genuine contributor.
If you’re following his 2026 season, the two things worth watching are Celtic’s European fixtures, where his aerial ability and left footed passing get tested against continental competition, and the USMNT’s final World Cup roster announcements, where his versatility could earn him a bigger role than expected.
