# Brenden Aaronson

Brenden Russell Aaronson (born October 22, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for EFL Championship club Leeds United and the United States national team.

## Early life

Raised in Medford, New Jersey, Aaronson attended Shawnee High School for a single year before being selected to the Philadelphia Union's YSC Academy, where he played soccer and completed his high school education. During his time at YSC Academy, Aaronson had played for Union's youth teams before committing to Indiana University and signing an amateur contract with Bethlehem Steel FC.

## Club career
### Bethlehem Steel

Aaronson appeared as an academy player playing for Bethlehem Steel FC during their 2017 season after coming through the Philadelphia Union academy. On September 30, 2017, Aaronson made his first start for Steel FC in an away draw versus Tampa Bay Rowdies. Aaronson made 21 appearances for Steel FC and scored his first goal for the professional side against Atlanta United 2.

### Philadelphia Union

On September 17, 2018, it was announced that Aaronson would join the Philadelphia Union at the beginning of their 2019 season. On March 17, 2019, the homegrown player scored his first professional goal in his MLS debut, helping Philadelphia tie against Atlanta United. Considered to be a back-up playmaker for the Union, injuries and suspensions gave Aaronson the opportunity to start and excel in the first team as both playmaking number 10 and left-sided box-to-box midfielder.
At the end of his rookie season, Aaronson finished second for 2019 MLS Rookie of the year, with three goals and two assists in over 1,640 minutes played. Aaronson was the youngest player out of the five finalists.
The 2020 season became a breakout year for Aaronson who finished the season with 31 appearances across all competitions and scoring 4 goals. Aaronson's performance during the season earned him several accolades include being named to the 2020 MLS Best XI for the regular season and the MLS is Back Tournament. The Union finished the season with the best league record earning the team's first trophy, the 2020 Supporters' Shield.

### Red Bull Salzburg

After persistent rumors, it was announced on October 16, 2020, that Aaronson would join Red Bull Salzburg effective January 2021 after the MLS season ended. While the transfer fee was undisclosed, Philadelphia announced that it would be the highest transfer fee paid for an American homegrown player from MLS. Early news reports indicated the fee is US$6 million up front, with US$3 million in possible incentives. Aaronson made his debut for Salzburg on January 25, as a substitute during a 2–0 victory over Rheindorf Altach.
Aaronson scored his first goal for Salzburg on February 10, 2021, scoring the game-winning goal during an eventual 3–1 win over Austria Wien. On May 1, he won his first piece of silverware with Salzburg as the club defeated LASK in the Austrian Cup final by 3–0. Aaronson scored the second goal of the match, and his fifth in all competitions since his move from Philadelphia in January.

### Leeds United

On May 26, 2022, Leeds United announced the signing of Aaronson on a five-year contract, beginning on July 1. Sky Sports reported the transfer fee to be £24.7 million. He made his senior league debut for Leeds as part of the starting eleven in their season opener on August 6, with a 2–1 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. On August 21, Aaronson scored his first Premier League goal after forcing an error from Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy in a 3–0 home win over rivals Chelsea, helping Leeds secure their first victory over the Blues for 20 years.

#### Loan to Union Berlin

On July 9, 2023, following Leeds' relegation from the Premier League, Aaronson joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin on loan for the 2023–24 season.

#### Return to Leeds

Aaronson returned to Elland Road for the 2024–25 season, putting in powerful performances in his five games in August, which featured him scoring twice in two league ties, including the added-time equaliser in the 10 August 3-3 season home opener against Portsmouth. His two goals plus his assists earned him the fans JD Sports Player of the Month Award for August 2024.

## International career

After showing a strong rookie season, Aaronson received his first senior call-up to the United States men's national soccer team in October 2019 for CONCACAF Nations League matches with Cuba and Canada. He did not earn a cap in either match. Aaronson earned his second call-up to the senior team for the 2020 January camp. Aaronson earned his full debut in a 1–0 win over Costa Rica. Later that year, Aaronson scored his first senior international goal during a 6–0 victory over El Salvador in December 2020.
Aaronson was included in the 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, playing in all three group games.

## Personal life

His younger brother Paxten Aaronson is also a professional soccer player and plays for FC Utrecht, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Aaronson's performances for the Philadelphia Union and Red Bull Salzburg earned him the nickname of the "Medford Messi", an alliteration that refers to his birthplace and makes a comparison with Argentine player Lionel Messi. He is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, as his father is from Sacramento.
He became engaged to Milana D'Ambra in August 2024.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played March 15, 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Bethlehem Steel FC | 2017 | USL | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Bethlehem Steel FC | 2018 | USL | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 1 |
| Bethlehem Steel FC | Total | Total | 21 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 1 |
| Philadelphia Union | 2019 | MLS | 28 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 30 | 3 |
| Philadelphia Union | 2020 | MLS | 23 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 27 | 4 |
| Philadelphia Union | Total | Total | 51 | 7 | — | — | 3 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 57 | 7 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2020–21 | Austrian Bundesliga | 20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 7 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2021–22 | Austrian Bundesliga | 26 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 2 | — | — | 41 | 6 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | Total | Total | 46 | 9 | 8 | 2 | — | — | 12 | 2 | — | — | 66 | 13 |
| Leeds United | 2022–23 | Premier League | 36 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 40 | 1 |
| Leeds United | 2024–25 | Championship | 38 | 8 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 39 | 8 |
| Leeds United | Total | Total | 74 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 79 | 9 |
| Union Berlin (loan) | 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 222 | 28 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 264 | 32 |
* ↑ Includes U.S. Open Cup, Austrian Cup, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
* ↑ Includes MLS Cup playoffs
* ↑ Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
* ↑ Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

### International

    As of match played November 18, 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| United States | 2020 | 2 | 1 |
| United States | 2021 | 13 | 4 |
| United States | 2022 | 13 | 1 |
| United States | 2023 | 10 | 2 |
| United States | 2024 | 9 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 47 | 8 |
    United States score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aaronson goal.
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition :
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | December 9, 2020 | Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States | 2 | El Salvador | 6–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 2 | March 25, 2021 | Stadion Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria | 3 | Jamaica | 2–0 | 4–1 | Friendly |
| 3 | June 9, 2021 | Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, United States | 7 | Costa Rica | 1–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 4 | September 5, 2021 | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States | 9 | Canada | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5 | September 8, 2021 | Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras | 10 | Honduras | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | June 1, 2022 | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States | 19 | Morocco | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 7 | March 24, 2023 | Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada | 29 | Grenada | 2–0 | 7–1 | 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A |
| 8 | September 12, 2023 | Allianz Field, Saint Paul, United States | 34 | Oman | 2–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |

## Honors

Philadelphia Union
* Supporters' Shield: 2020
Red Bull Salzburg
* Austrian Bundesliga: 2020–21, 2021–22
* Austrian Cup: 2020–21, 2021–22
United States
* CONCACAF Nations League: 2019–20, 2022–23, 2023–24
Individual
* MLS is Back Tournament Best XI: 2020
* MLS Best XI: 2020