CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday it had signed Bethlehem Steel FC standout Auston Trusty as a Homegrown Player. Trusty is the second player to sign as a HGP from the Steel this year, following the signing of Derrick Jones last month.

Trusty originally joined the Philadelphia Union as a member of the first group of Union Juniors in 2011. This year he joined the Steel for the club’s inaugural season as an Academy signing. Trusty has made 13 appearances for Bethlehem this season, and logged 1,170 minutes of action, which puts him seventh on the team.

“Auston has a really bright future ahead of him and it was important for us to keep him here, utilizing our professional pathway to the First Team,” Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said. “He has really benefitted from playing at the USL level this season, further showing just how valuable this process can be. He’s now proven himself at our Academy, at Bethlehem Steel FC and at various youth national teams throughout his young career. We believe he’s ready for the next step in his progression and couldn’t be happier to have him signed.”