_15.jpg) Aaronson withRed Bull Salzburg in 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brenden Russell Aaronson[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (2000-10-22)October 22, 2000 (age 25)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Medford, New Jersey, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.77 m)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Leeds United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Shawnee High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Philadelphia Union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Bethlehem Steel | 21 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | Philadelphia Union | 51 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Red Bull Salzburg | 46 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022– | Leeds United | 107 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | →Union Berlin (loan) | 30 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | United States U15 | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | United States U23 | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020– | United States | 56 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of February 10, 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of November 18, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brenden Russell Aaronson (born October 22, 2000) is an American professionalsoccer player who plays as anattacking midfielder orwinger forPremier League clubLeeds United and theUnited States national team.
Raised inMedford, New Jersey, Aaronson attendedShawnee High School for a single year before being selected to the Philadelphia Union'sYSC Academy, where he played soccer and completed his high school education.[3] During his time at YSC Academy, Aaronson had played for Union's youth teams before committing toIndiana University and signing an amateur contract withBethlehem Steel FC.[4][5]
Aaronson appeared as an academy player playing forBethlehem Steel FC during their 2017 season after coming through thePhiladelphia Union academy.[6][7]On September 30, 2017, Aaronson made his first start for Steel FC in an away draw versusTampa Bay Rowdies.[8] Aaronson made 21 appearances for Steel FC and scored his first goal for the professional side againstAtlanta United 2.[9]
On September 17, 2018, it was announced that Aaronson would join thePhiladelphia Union at the beginning of their 2019 season.[10] On March 17, 2019, the homegrown player scored his first professional goal in his MLS debut, helping Philadelphia tie againstAtlanta 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 bothplaymaking number 10 and left-sided box-to-box midfielder.[11]
At the end of his rookie season, Aaronson finished second for the 2019MLS Rookie of the Year Award, with three goals and two assists in over 1,640 minutes played. Aaronson was the youngest player out of the five finalists.[12]
The2020 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 2020MLS Best XI for the regular season and theMLS is Back Tournament.[13][14] The Union finished the season with the best league record earning the team's first trophy, the2020 Supporters' Shield.[15]
After persistent rumors, it was announced on October 16, 2020, that Aaronson would joinRed Bull Salzburg effective January 2021 after the MLS season ended.[16] While the transfer fee was undisclosed, Philadelphia announced that it would be the highest transfer fee paid for an Americanhomegrown player from MLS.[17] Early news reports indicated the fee is US$6 million up front, with US$3 million in possible incentives.[18][19] Aaronson made his debut for Salzburg on January 25, as a substitute during a 2–0 victory overRheindorf Altach.[20]
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Aaronson scored his first goal for Salzburg on February 10, 2021, scoring the game-winning goal during an eventual 3–1 win overAustria Wien.[21] On May 1, he won his first piece of silverware with Salzburg as the club defeatedLASK in theAustrian Cup final by 3–0.[22] Aaronson scored the second goal of the match, and his fifth in all competitions since his move from Philadelphia in January.[22]
On May 26, 2022,Leeds United announced the signing of Aaronson on a five-year contract, beginning on July 1.[23][24]Sky Sports reported the transfer fee to be £24.7 million.[25] 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 overWolverhampton Wanderers.[26] On August 21, Aaronson scored his firstPremier League goal after forcing an error from Chelsea goalkeeperÉdouard Mendy in a 3–0 home win overrivalsChelsea, helping Leeds secure their first victory over the Blues for 20 years.[27]
On July 9, 2023, following Leeds'relegation from the Premier League, Aaronson joinedBundesliga sideUnion Berlin onloan for the 2023–24 season.[28]
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Aaronson returned to Elland Road for the2024–25 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.[29] His two goals plus his assists earned him the fansJD Sports Player of the Month Award for August 2024.[30]
Aaronson finished the2024–25 season with a career-high nine goals, adding two assists.[31] On April 21, 2025, Aaronson was promoted back to thePremier League with Leeds following a 6–0 win overStoke City atElland Road[32] andSheffield United's 2–1 loss toBurnley atTurf Moor.[33] On May 3, Aaronson won the EFL Championship title with Leeds following a 2–1 win overPlymouth Argyle atHome Park.[34]
On January 7, 2026, Aaronson scored his first brace with Leeds United in a 4-3 loss toNewcastle atSt James' Park.[35]
After showing a strong rookie season, Aaronson received his first senior call-up to theUnited States men's national soccer team in October 2019 forCONCACAF Nations League matches withCuba andCanada. He did not earn a cap in either match.[36] Aaronson earned his second call-up to the senior team for the 2020 January camp.[37] Aaronson earned his full debut in a 1–0 win overCosta Rica. Later that year, Aaronson scored his first senior international goal during a 6–0 victory overEl Salvador in December 2020.[38]
Aaronson was included in the 26-man squad for the2022 FIFA World Cup, playing in all three group games.[39][40][41][42]
His younger brotherPaxten Aaronson is also a professional soccer player and plays forMajor League Soccer clubColorado Rapids.[43][44]
Aaronson's performances for the Philadelphia Union and Red Bull Salzburg earned him the nickname of the "Medford Messi", analliteration that refers to his birthplace and makes a comparison with Argentine playerLionel Messi.[45] He is a fan of theSan Francisco 49ers, as his father is from Sacramento.[46]
He became engaged to Milana D'Ambra in August 2024.[47]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | 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[48] | MLS | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 3 | ||
| 2020[49] | MLS | 23[c] | 4 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 3[d] | 0 | 27 | 4 | |||
| Total | 51 | 7 | — | 3 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 57 | 7 | ||||
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2020–21[49] | Austrian Bundesliga | 20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | 2[e] | 0 | — | 25 | 7 | ||
| 2021–22[50] | Austrian Bundesliga | 26 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | 10[f] | 2 | — | 41 | 6 | |||
| Total | 46 | 9 | 8 | 2 | — | 12 | 2 | — | 66 | 13 | ||||
| Leeds United | 2022–23[51] | Premier League | 36 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 1 | ||
| 2024–25[52] | Championship | 46 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 9 | |||
| 2025–26[53] | Premier League | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 4 | |||
| Total | 107 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 115 | 14 | ||||
| Union Berlin (loan) | 2023–24[54] | Bundesliga | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 6[f] | 0 | — | 38 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 255 | 33 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 300 | 37 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2020 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | |
| Total | 56 | 9 | |
| 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 |
| 9 | June 15, 2025 | PayPal Park,San Jose, United States | 49 |  Trinidad and Tobago | 4–0 | 5–0 | 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
Philadelphia Union
Red Bull Salzburg
Leeds United
United States
Individual
United States squads | |||||||||||||||||||
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