Union Agree to Record-Breaking Transfer of Brenden Aaronson
On Friday, October 17th, the Philadelphia Union announced that they reached a transfer agreement with FC Red Bull Salzburg for Homegrown midfielder Brenden Aaronson.
The transfer fee is reportedly worth $6 million, plus up to $3 million in performance bonuses. There is also a sell-on fee of around 10-20% if Salzburg were to sell Aaronson to another club. The Medford, New Jersey native will finish the 2020 MLS season with Philadelphia before joining Salzburg on January 1st, as his contract will last until the summer of 2025.
Sporting Director Ernst Tanner opened up the press conference in a cultivating way by stating, “Today is a remarkable and really good day for Philadelphia Union and all its organizations.”
Aaronson will wear number 11 with Salzburg once he arrives in Austria.
The fee is the highest ever for a U.S.-based Homegrown player as it topped former Red Bull Matt Miazga’s deal to go to Chelsea for $5 million in 2016. Aaronson first joined Union Juniors at 11-years-old and stayed with the academy throughout his youth years.
Aaronson decided to turn professional and sign a Homegrown Player deal on September 17, 2018, as he joined the first team before the 2019 season.
“This is an important next step for both Brenden, the organization, and United States soccer,” said Tanner. “This has always been the goal of the club. We want to establish a unique identity of developing young players through our academy with an end goal of cultivating and developing their talent to the level that allows them to compete against the very best in the world. We are incredibly proud that Brenden is leading the way as the first Philadelphia Union homegrown player to test himself against top European competition.”
Aaronson started and scored a goal in his club and league debut against Atlanta United FC in a hostile road environment on March 17, 2019. In his second season with the team, he has scored seven goals and recorded five assists in 42 matches played, and 39 starts in his tenure with Philadelphia.
The Homegrown has grown leaps and bounds from last year and it has been a joy to watch him succeed, most specifically in the MLS is Back Tournament where he recorded three assists in six matches.
“A young kid who came into YSC Academy in our juniors academy,” said manager Jim Curtin. “To see Brenden come in as a scrawny player and to see him blossom into a great USMNT player, a great Philadelphia Union player, and now a great Red Bull Salzburg player. Brenden will go into great hands with Jesse Marsch. He’ll push Brenden and make him even better. I’m happy to have played a small role in his success.”
“He has the vision to make a final pass, he’s improving his shooting,” added Curtin. “Jesse’s going to push him to a level and intensity where he has never been pushed before. I think you’ll see him reach his maximum and full potential. Brenden wants to lift a trophy here. The fans have loved watching Brenden grow and get better. We’re going to push like heck to have that final game be on December 12th in the MLS Cup. The fans deserve it and that is the goal. This is just the start for Brenden, the sky’s the limit.”
The 19-year-old has also had success on the national stage as he earned his first senior United States Men’s National Team call-up in October of 2019 for multiple Concacaf Nations League matches.
This senior team call-up came following appearances with the U-15s, U-19s, and U-23s in the Men’s Youth National level.
For the Men’s National Team he notched his first cap in a friendly against Costa Rica and was in the starting 11, where he recorded 66 minutes in the team’s 1-0 victory.
Aaronson was also selected to the U.S. Men’s Olympic Qualifier team last March.
“Playing in Europe has always been a part of my dream. I’ve been able to accomplish the first part of my dream, to play for my home city, and am so excited for this continuation of my journey,” said Aaronson. “I am so incredibly appreciative of all my coaches, my family, and the Philadelphia Union fans. As I said, I was one of them once, and their support means everything to me. I’ll continue to give them everything I have through the end of the season and what I hope is a long playoff run. For me and for this club, this is just the beginning, and I look forward to what the future holds.”
Aaronson will be joining a prestigious club in FC Red Bull Salzburg as they have won 14 league titles, along with seven Austrian Cups and three Austrian Supercups. The club is known for its development of top stars such as Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane who are now in the Bundesliga and Premier League, respectively.
Salzburg has also qualified for the Champions League for the second consecutive year which will allow Aaronson to compete on the highest stage.
“I can’t put into words, it all kind of hit me today,” said Aaronson. “It’s a truly special day for me and has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I couldn’t be happier. I want to win something for this club. I give my all to the team and I’m going to give my all for the rest of the season, I promise you guys that. I feel like I owe this club something based on what they did for me and the confidence they showed in me.”
When all is said and done, it is truly remarkable to see Aaronson involved in a record-breaking transfer fee and allow him to hone his skills in Europe. Curtin hit the nail right on the hand when he said that the sky is the limit for Aronson, as he will only improve on the pitch from this point forward. As a media member and Union fan, it was truly an honor and privilege to see Brenden Aaronson grace the Union jersey for a few seasons and have a large impact on the team’s success.
Here’s hoping that the 19-year-old can achieve his goal and lift the MLS Cup trophy with the Boys in Blue before his time in Philadelphia comes to end.
We’ll certainly miss you Brenden, but best of luck with Red Bull Salzburg because you deserve it!
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation
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