Brenden Aaronson: Who is the USA international who played for Union Berlin?
Brenden Aaronson stepped up at the back end of 2023/24 to help Union Berlin secure their top-flight status. Now he's on his way to the 2024 Copa America with the USMNT. bundesliga.com has more on the Leeds United-owned attacker...
Stats correct as of 17 June 2024
Brenden Aaronson
Age: 23 (born 22 October 2000)
Club: Union Berlin
Position: Attacking midfielder/ winger
Country: USA (41 caps/ eight goals)
Key stats
Aaronson joined Union on season-long loan, fresh from helping the USA retain the CONCACAF Nations League title. The 5'8" attacker made four appearances group stage to final, scoring once - his seventh senior international goal. He had a direct hand in four goals across his 36 English Premier League appearances in the 2022/23 domestic season, though the campaign ended in his parent club's relegation to the second tier.
The same fate almost befell Union, but Aaronson scored crucial goals in wins over Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen, before producing an assist - his second in the Bundesliga - in the final-day win against Freiburg that ensured Die Eisernen dodged the relegation play-off on goal difference.
Aaronson's time in Austria proved more successful, the ex-Philadelphia Union youngster winning back-to-back domestic doubles with Red Bull Salzburg and reaching the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League round of 16. He featured in 66 competitive matches across two seasons at the club, registering 13 goals and 15 assists.
Watch: Brenden Aaronson was Union's match-winner against Bremen
Plays a bit like: Jamal Musiala
A lean and agile technician who looks like he was born with the ball at his feet, Aaronson is a high-energy playmaker in the mould of Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala. He'll drop deep to find holes in the opposition defence, but tends to pass rather than shoot once he does waltz behind the opposition defence. The American doesn't shirk his defensive duties either, and has proven himself an invaluable counter-presssing player for club and country.
Did you know?
Brenden is the older brother of Paxten Aaronson, who joined Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2023. The younger Aaronson made seven Bundesliga appearances, before moving to Vitesse on loan.
Watch: Get to know Brenden's little bro
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What they're saying
"Brenden's relentless. He's a guy that almost doesn't realise the magnitude of stuff because he’s so relentless, he just goes out there and does it." - USA head coach Gregg Berhalter
"He's like a weed. You almost see him grow before your eyes. It's really amazing. He's a special young man." - Aaronson's former Salzburg and Leeds coach Jesse Marsch
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