Brenden Aaronson will spend the 2023-2024 season in the German Bundesliga, as it was announced on Sunday that the midfielder has moved to Union Berlin on loan from relegated Leeds United.
The move comes just over one year after he joined the ambitious English club from Austrians Red Bull Salzburg in a deal believed to be worth more than $25 Million. However, the American and Leeds both struggle heavily during the season, which saw them burn through three head coaches on their way toward an inevitable relegation.
Union’s managing director of men’s football Oliver Ruhnert was optimistic about the USMNT player’s fit into their squad, in a season that will see them embark on their first-ever Champions League campaign.
“Brenden’s commitment has made us very happy, he is a type of player we don’t have who will be good for our attacking game,” Ruhnert explained in the official team announcement. “Despite his young age, he already has a lot of international experience and will complement our squad at a high level.”
The Berlin-based club finished a surprising fourth in the recently completed Bundesliga season, a remarkable feat for a club that has spent its entire history prior to 2019 outside of the German top flight.
Aaronson will join fellow American Jordan Pefok in the Union attack, who was acquired by the team last summer, and became one of their usual bench options in the previous season.
Similar to Pefok, who cut his teeth in Europe’s top competition while with Swiss team Young Boys, Aaronson does have prior experience and success in the competition with Salzburg, in particular their 2021-22 campaign where they remarkably reached the Round of 16.
“Union’s path and the success of the last few years did not go unnoticed in either the USA, Austria, or England,” the 22-year-old pointed out about his new team in the official press release. “Somehow, you always heard something about them.”
“A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed that I would be here and able to play in the Champions League with Union. I’m looking forward to the year ahead with joy and confidence and want to help us have another successful season.”
Union has a busy training and warm-up schedule during July and August, which will include a home friendly against Italy’s Atalanta on August 5, before they open competitive action eight days later in the DFB Pokal against FC Walldorf. Their Bundesliga season begins on August 19 when Mains visit the 22,000-capacity Stadion an Den Alten Försterei.
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