Brenden Aaronson

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as a homegrown player on Sept. 17, 2018. Transferred to RB Salzburg for the 2021 season on October 16, 2020.

Aaronson is a technical playmaker who can run all day from his central attacking midfield position. He has risen through the Union's academy ranks to become a first-team regular and one of the most promising young American talents. Aaronson has been linked with European clubs throughout the 2020 season, including Celtic and Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, where Bild dubbed him the "U.S. Kai Havertz," after the German international.

• PhiladelphiaUnion.com: Aaronson's profile
• MLS 22 Under 22: Aaronson comes in at No. 7 in 2019
• Aaronson has a brother who's also a playmaker
• Brenden's father on his two soccer-playing sons and how they're different

INTERNATIONAL: Aaronson is a current member of the senior U.S. national team, earning his first call-up in October 2019 and his first cap in a start against Costa Rica in February 2020. 

Before reaching the senior US team, he represented the USA at the Under-19 and Under-23 age groups. He was called up to two U.S. Under-23 camps in 2019 and started in a friendly vs. Japan (September 9), recording an assist. Previously, he had been called up by the Under-19s as part of the inaugural Men’s YNT Summit Camp from January 2-11, 2018

OUTSIDE MLS: Aaronson, nicknamed the "Medford Messi" earlier in his career, appeared for Union reserve team Bethlehem Steel FC in 24 matches (18 times in 2018), starting 15 contests and gaining 1,267 minutes of experience against professionals.

Watch: Best of Aaronson in MLS