Brenden Russell Aaronson (born October 22, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for 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.Strauss, Robert. "Meet the Philadelphia Union’s Youngest Hometown Player; At just 18 years old, midfielder Brenden Aaronson's dream has come true.", New Jersey Monthly, May 2, 2019. Accessed June 24, 2019. 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 the 2019 MLS 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.
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 2022–23: Debut season 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, in the number 7 shirt, 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.
2023–24: 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 donning the number 11 top and 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.
Aaronson finished the 2024–25 season with a career-high nine goals, adding two assists. On April 21, 2025, Aaronson was promoted back to the Premier League with Leeds following a 6–0 win over Stoke City at Elland Road and Sheffield United's 2–1 loss to Burnley at Turf Moor. On May 3, Aaronson won the EFL Championship title with Leeds following a 2–1 win over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.
On January 7, 2026, Aaronson scored his first brace with Leeds United in a 4–3 loss to Newcastle at St James' Park.
On August 20, 2026, Aaronson signed a new three-year deal with Leeds United through the 2028-29 season.
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.
On May 26, 2026, Aaronson was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Personal life His younger brother Paxten Aaronson is also a professional soccer player and plays for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.
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. They got married in 2026.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBethlehem Steel FC2017USL5010———602018USL16120———181Total21130———241Philadelphia Union2019MLS2830020——3032020MLS23Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage4—10—30274Total517—30—30577Red Bull Salzburg2020–21Austrian Bundesliga20532—20—2572021–22Austrian Bundesliga26450—102—416Total46982—122—6613Leeds United2022–23Premier League3614000——4012024–25Championship4690010——4792025–26Premier League3744010——4242026–27Premier League500021——71Total124148041——13615Union Berlin (loan)2023–24Bundesliga30220—60—382Career total27233212711823032138
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsUnited States2020212021134202213120231022024902025912026 3 0Total 59 9
United States score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aaronson goal.
+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competitionNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition1December 9, 2020Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States2 6–06–0 Friendly2March 25, 2021Stadion Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria3 2–04–1 Friendly3June 9, 2021Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, United States7 1–04–0 Friendly4September 5, 2021Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States9 1–01–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification5September 8, 2021Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras10 3–14–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification6June 1, 2022TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States19 1–03–0 Friendly7March 24, 2023Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada 29 2–07–1 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A8September 12, 2023Allianz Field, Saint Paul, United States34 2–04–0 Friendly9June 15, 2025PayPal Park, San Jose, United States49 4–05–0 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Honors Philadelphia Union Supporters' Shield: 2020
Red Bull Salzburg Austrian Bundesliga: 2020–21, 2021–22 Austrian Cup: 2020–21, 2021–22
Leeds United EFL Championship: 2024–25
United States CONCACAF Nations League: 2019–20, 2022–23, 2023–24
Individual MLS is Back Tournament Best XI: 2020 MLS Best XI: 2020
References
External links
Profile at the Leeds United F.C. website