In a significant move, Melbourne City defender and World Cup hopeful Kai Trewin is reportedly set to finalize a permanent transfer to New York City FC, according to sources close to ESPN.
Both Melbourne City and New York City FC are part of the City Football Group. In the 2025 season, New York finished fifth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, progressing to the conference finals where they were eliminated by the eventual champions, Inter Miami.
Formal confirmation of Trewin’s transfer is anticipated soon, with the Canberra-native poised to become the second Socceroo on New York’s roster, joining midfielder Aiden O’Neill. O’Neill, who previously played for Melbourne City, transferred to New York from Belgian side Standard Liège last April.
ESPN reports that Melbourne City is set to receive over seven figures (in AUD) for Trewin. After participating in several squads, he made his full Australian national team debut in friendly matches against Venezuela and Colombia last November, and is now aiming to strengthen his case for a World Cup spot this summer.
The match against Colombia, where Trewin started despite a squad affected by illness, took place at Citi Field in Queens—one of the two venues used by New York City FC while they await the completion of Etihad Park in Willets Point.
Originally a central defender, Trewin has played under national team coach Tony Popovic in that position. However, this season at Melbourne City, he has been utilized as a holding midfielder by coach Aurelio Vidmar, making 19 starts across the A-League and Asian Champions League Elite. He played a key role in the squad that clinched the A-League title in the 2024-25 season.
Trewin’s departure adds to a busy January transfer window for the A-League champions, who have also signed Ryan Teague, Daniel Arzani, and Marcus Younis on loan, along with bringing back former FC Cincinnati defender Harrison Delbridge, who played for Melbourne from 2018 to 2020, on a short-term deal.
Melbourne City has chosen not to comment on the matter.