Cardiff City have lost out to their Championship rivals Birmingham City in a bid to sign Arsenal defender Auston Trusty, report Wales Online.

The 23-year-old has secured a season-long move to the Blues, which is his first spell in England after securing a permanent switch to the Gunners back in January.

Trusty, who has yet to be capped by the senior United States team, headed back to Colorado Rapids of the MLS following his switch to Arsenal, but his time in America came to an end earlier this month.

Birmingham have now swooped for Trusty's services, but it has emerged that Cardiff were serious contenders to land the centre-back.

Per Wales Online, the Bluebirds believed they were leading the race for Trusty's signature after talks with the Premier League giants, who were pleased with Cardiff's methods and how they deal with their loan players.

However, a new FIFA ruling which states that English clubs can only loan eight players aged 21 and over to different associations per season seems to have cost Cardiff, as a move to the Welsh capital would have counted as an international deal due to being governed by the Welsh FA.

The Verdict

With Steve Morison set to line-up with three centre-backs again next season, Trusty would have been a solid acquisition as the Bluebirds are short in defence going into the new campaign.

But through seemingly no fault of their own, they've lost out to a team who could be a rival next season for a player that could have strengthened them no end.

Even though Trusty has never kicked a ball in England before, the fact that Arsenal have taken a punt on him suggests he has talent.

Cardiff may face further woes in the transfer market when it comes to loan signings, and the new rules may mean that they have to focus on players who are aged 20 and below.