Brenden Aaronson
Brenden Aaronson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brenden Russell Aaronson October 22, 2000 Medford, New Jersey, United States |
| Occupation | Professional soccer player |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Known for | Playing as attacking midfielder or winger for Leeds United and the United States national team |
Brenden Russell Aaronson (born October 22, 2000) is a professional American soccer athlete who operates primarily as an attacking midfielder or winger for both Leeds United and the United States national team.
Early life
Growing up in Medford, New Jersey, Aaronson spent one year at Shawnee High School before transitioning to the Philadelphia Union's YSC Academy. There, he balanced his education with competitive soccer, representing Union's youth squads. During this period, he committed to playing collegiate soccer at Indiana University and simultaneously signed an amateur contract with Bethlehem Steel FC.
Bethlehem Steel
Aaronson progressed through the Philadelphia Union academy and featured as an academy player for their affiliate, Bethlehem Steel FC, during the 2017 campaign. He earned his first starting appearance on September 30, 2017, in an away match that ended in a draw against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Over the season, he accumulated 21 caps and netted his inaugural professional goal facing Atlanta United 2.
Philadelphia Union
Aaronson was officially announced as a Philadelphia Union player on September 17, 2018, ahead of the 2019 MLS season. He marked his MLS debut on March 17, 2019, by scoring his first professional goal and contributing to a draw against Atlanta United. Initially serving as a reserve playmaker, he capitalized on opportunities arising from team injuries and suspensions to claim a starting position both as a creative number 10 and as a left-sided box-to-box midfielder.
At the conclusion of his rookie year, Aaronson finished as the runner-up for the 2019 MLS Rookie of the Year award, having recorded three goals and two assists over more than 1,640 minutes of play. Notably, he was the youngest finalist among the top five candidates.
The 2020 season represented a significant step forward for Aaronson. He made 31 appearances across all competitions and scored four goals. His impressive contributions earned him recognition on the 2020 MLS Best XI for both the regular season and the MLS is Back Tournament. That year, Philadelphia Union secured their first major honor by clinching the 2020 Supporters' Shield, finishing with the league's best record.
Red Bull Salzburg
On October 16, 2020, it was revealed that Aaronson would transfer to Red Bull Salzburg in January 2021 following the conclusion of the MLS season. The Philadelphia Union confirmed this move set a new record for the highest transfer fee paid for an American player developed under MLS's homegrown player regulations. Initial reports estimated the deal at $6 million upfront with potential incentives reaching $3 million. Aaronson made his Salzburg debut on January 25 as a substitute during a 2–0 victory over Rheindorf Altach.
He opened his scoring account for Salzburg on February 10 by netting a goal in a 3–1 triumph against Austria Wien. On May 1, Aaronson secured his first trophy at club level when Salzburg defeated LASK 3–0 in the final of the Austrian Cup, scoring the second goal of the match—his fifth since arriving from Philadelphia.
Leeds United
On May 26, 2022, Leeds United secured Aaronson's transfer on a five-year deal effective from July 1, with the fee reported to be £24.7 million. He made his first appearance in the season's opening match on August 6, helping Leeds to a 2–1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Aaronson netted his inaugural Premier League goal on August 21 during a 3–0 triumph over rivals Chelsea, marking Leeds' first success against them in two decades.
Loan to Union Berlin
After Leeds faced relegation from the Premier League in the 2022–23 season, Aaronson was loaned out to Bundesliga side Union Berlin for the entirety of the 2023–24 campaign.
Return to Leeds
Aaronson rejoined Leeds for the 2024–25 season and showcased impressive form, registering two goals and one assist in August alone, which earned him the fans' JD Sports Player of the Month accolade. He concluded the season with a personal best of nine goals and two assists. On April 21, 2025, he played a key role as Leeds secured promotion back to the Premier League following a commanding 6–0 win over Stoke City, aided by favorable outcomes elsewhere. Leeds went on to claim the EFL Championship title on May 3 after a 2–1 victory against Plymouth Argyle.
International career
Following an impressive debut season, Aaronson received his initial senior call-up to the United States men's national soccer team in October 2019 for CONCACAF Nations League fixtures versus Cuba and Canada, although he did not feature in those matches. He was recalled for the January 2020 training camp and made his first senior appearance in a 1–0 victory over Costa Rica. Later that year, he scored his maiden senior international goal during a 6–0 win against El Salvador.
Aaronson was included in the 26-player roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, participating in all three group stage games.
Personal life
His younger sibling, Paxten Aaronson, is also a professional footballer currently playing for Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids.
Due to his outstanding displays with Philadelphia Union and Red Bull Salzburg, Aaronson earned the moniker "Medford Messi," linking his hometown with a comparison to Lionel Messi. Additionally, he supports the San Francisco 49ers, reflecting his father's connection to Sacramento.
In August 2024, Aaronson became engaged to Milana D'Ambra.
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup[lower-alpha 1] | League cup[lower-alpha 2] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bethlehem Steel FC | 2017 | USL | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2018 | USL | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 18 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 21 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 24 | 1 | |||||
| Philadelphia Union | 2019[1] | MLS | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 3 | ||
| 2020[2] | MLS | 23[lower-alpha 3] | 4 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 3[lower-alpha 4] | 0 | 27 | 4 | |||
| Total | 51 | 7 | — | 3 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 57 | 7 | ||||
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2020–21[2] | Austrian Bundesliga | 20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | 2[lower-alpha 5] | 0 | — | 25 | 7 | ||
| 2021–22[3] | Austrian Bundesliga | 26 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | 10[lower-alpha 6] | 2 | — | 41 | 6 | |||
| Total | 46 | 9 | 8 | 2 | — | 12 | 2 | — | 66 | 13 | ||||
| Leeds United | 2022–23[4] | Premier League | 36 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 1 | ||
| 2024–25[5] | Championship | 46 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 9 | |||
| 2025–26[6] | Premier League | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 1 | |||
| Total | 91 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 97 | 11 | ||||
| Union Berlin (loan) | 2023–24[7] | Bundesliga | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 6Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content |
0 | — | 38 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 239 | 30 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 282 | 34 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2020 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | |
| Total | 56 | 9 | |
- Scores list United States first; the score column reflects the tally immediately following each goal by Aaronson.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score after goal | Final result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 9, 2020 | Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States | 2 | Template:Fb | 6–0 | 6–0 | Friendly match |
| 2 | March 25, 2021 | Stadion Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria | 3 | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 4–1 | Friendly match |
| 3 | June 9, 2021 | Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, United States | 7 | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 4–0 | Friendly match |
| 4 | September 5, 2021 | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee | 9 | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF third round |
| 5 | September 8, 2021 | Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula | 10 | Template:Fb | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | June 1, 2022 | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States | 19 | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly match |
| 7 | March 24, 2023 | Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada | 29 | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 7–1 | 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A |
| 8 | September 12, 2023 | Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota | 34 | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 4–0 | Friendly match |
Honors
Philadelphia Union
Red Bull Salzburg
- Austrian Bundesliga Champion: 2020–21, 2021–22
- Austrian Cup Winner: 2020–21, 2021–22
Leeds United
- EFL Championship Title: 2024–25
United States
- CONCACAF Nations League Champion: 2019–20, 2022–23, 2023–24
Individual Achievements
- MLS is Back Tournament Best XI: 2020
- MLS Best XI Selection: 2020
External links
- Brenden Russell Aaronson | Player Profile | Bundesliga | 1. FC Union Berlin
- Brenden Aaronson at Philadelphia Union
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- 2000 births
- Living people
- American men's soccer players
- Homegrown Players (MLS)
- Philadelphia Union II players
- Philadelphia Union players
- FC Red Bull Salzburg players
- Leeds United F.C. players
- 1. FC Union Berlin players
- Men's association football midfielders
- Sportspeople from Medford, New Jersey
- Shawnee High School (New Jersey) alumni
- Soccer players from Burlington County, New Jersey
- USL Championship players
- Major League Soccer players
- Premier League players
- Bundesliga players
- English Football League players
- United States men's international soccer players
- 2022 FIFA World Cup players
- 2024 Copa América players
- Expatriate men's footballers in Austria
- American expatriate sportspeople in Austria
- Expatriate men's footballers in England
- American expatriate sportspeople in England
- American expatriate men's soccer players in Germany
- United States men's under-23 international soccer players
- 21st-century American sportsmen
- 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup players