It took nearly the entire month of January, but New York City FC finally made a big move in the winter transfer window, filling a massive hole in one of the league's top defenses from 2025.
Meet Kai Trewin (pronounced TRUE-win), an experienced and versatile A-League defender widely considered one of the best in the league, and one of the key players in Melbourne City's title-winning season. Revitalizing a defense that barely squeaked into the playoffs in 2024, Trewin was integral as Melbourne City conceded the fewest goals in the league en route to the club winning the 2025 A-League Grand Final Championship, shutting out Melbourne Victory 1-0.
The move to New York City sparked surprise from the Melbourne City fanbase, who considered the 24-year-old unsellable. But NYCFC Sporting Director Todd Dunivant found a way to pry him away from the club, and now one of the brightest stars to feature in the A-League will be playing in Major League Soccer.
Trewin has just two caps with the Australia men's national team, and both came late in 2025. With the 2026 World Cup less than six months away, Trewin will be looking to impress head coach Tony Popovic and play himself into the Socceroos squad. The transfer gives the Aussie the ability to showcase his talents on a championship contender in a more competitive league, and in the nation hosting the sport's marquee international tournament.
To a degree, Trewin joins the Pigeons as Pascal Jansen's nominal Justin Haak replacement in 2026. But the defender has the potential to be so much more once he settles into the Big Apple.
