Official: Brenden Aaronson to transfer to Red Bull Salzburg

Brenden Aaronson is officially headed to Europe. Rumored a few weeks ago, the Philadelphia Union midfielder, who will turn 20 on October 22nd, is headed to join Jesse Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg. He will leave after the conclusion of the 2020 MLS season.

The transfer fee is believed to be the largest for a MLS Homegrown Player, with reports putting the fee at $6 million + $3 million in performance bonuses and a sell-on fee for the Union.

“Brenden Aaronson is considered one of the greatest talents in the MLS, his dynamism and his presence on the field are extraordinary for a 19-year-old,” Red Bull Salzburg Sporting Director Christoph Freund stated in a press release by the Philadelphia Union. “Despite his young age, he already has an excellent feeling for making the right decisions on the pitch. With his way of playing football, Brenden is a perfect match for us and we are already looking forward to him.”

Aaronson has had a terrific rise through the ranks of the Union system, first appearing with the first team in 2019. He made his debut with the United States Men’s National Team during this year’s January Camp, starting in the lone match of the year so far for the USMNT against Costa Rica in a 1-0 victory. He now will join the growing ranks of USMNT players in Europe, joining a team led by an American coach who will begin the Champions League group stage next week. Aaronson will be eligible to head to Austria and join Red Bull Salzburg during the January 2021 transfer window.

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