Brenden Aaronson is in the final two months of his season-long loan spell at Union Berlin and although his long-term future remains unknown, the American attacker is open about a permanent move to Germany this summer.
Aaronson joined Union Berlin last August on loan from Leeds United following the Lilywhites’ relegation from the English Premier League. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder/winger has scored two goals in 32 combined appearances (1,013 minutes played), struggling at times, but recently finding his way back into the starting lineup.
With Leeds United’s future also unknown pending the conclusion of its EFL Championship campaign, Aaronson could be forced to find a move elsewhere this summer. The 23-year-old admitted his enjoyment of playing in the Bundesliga this season and remains open to a longer stay in Berlin, if a deal is agreed upon.
“I can see myself remaining here,” Aaronson said in an interview with Get German Football News. “The club is amazing. it’s not up to me at the end of the day but I have so much respect for Union, the way it has been built, the staff, it’s an amazing family club and they’ve done an amazing job.
“For me, it’s (about) making the right decision in the summer, evaluating the year and going from there,” he added. “Staying is an option but I can’t say much more.”
Aaronson’s impressive spell at Red Bull Salzburg from 2021-23 helped earn him a move to Elland Road last season, but even his best efforts couldn’t help keep Leeds United in the English top-flight.
Leeds United has battled back valiantly so far this season though, fighting for one of the two automatic promotion spots in the EFL Championship.
Although Aaronson is over 875 miles away, it hasn’t stopped him from watching his parent club enjoy a strong season to date.
“I’ve been paying close attention to Leeds, I know a lot of the guys, I get on with a lot of them, they are good guys,” Aaronson said. “I’ve been paying attention because they’ve been having a fantastic season so it’s been great to watch.
“They just need to keep pushing because they’ve got good things coming their way at the end of the season,” Aaronson added.
so reyna needs to bounce back on his loan but aaronson at 2 goals in 830 league minutes in 24 appearances is fine, ok, mhmm. he actually played and produced more for leeds last year, and they are about to yoyo back to EPL.
personally i think his best outcome is not back to leeds or to union, but to some third team. fanboys don’t want to hear it, but back to the second tier of leagues, holland, austria, scandinavia, scotland, one of the elite country second divisions. theory goes first division practice alone would make him better, much less playing, but does theory seem like reality here? we had a better US player from the kid at RBS.
also, kid strikes me as more of a technical type. similar to reyna i think his sweet spot is a more technical, defensive shy league. holland, spain, scandinavia.
I could see Holland or Spain for sure, or, as others have mentioned, Italy. Ernie Stewart’s had some astounding luck thus far with the American Reclamation Project there at PSV and I know both Malik Tillman and Johan Bakayoko have a bunch of Top-5 League teams looking at him and Aaronson can certainly play either wing or the 10. He dominated with Red Bull Salzburg and PSV is a similar-profile team – a big fish in a smaller pond.
Brendan’s technical ability, coachability, versatility, and willingness to play however his coach wants him to play would make him an asset in La Liga or Serie A. Those are such technical, assignment-based leagues.
I do think he’s a Top-5 League guy, but like a lot of players, he does need a specific fit. England assuredly ain’t it and despite his intermittent success with Union Berlin I’m still dubious about the Bundesliga myself.
Aaronson could wind up stuck at Leeds because they (over)paid to the tune of $30 million for him…he’s a good player, but he’s probably not worth a quarter that on the market at the moment and Leeds would want to recoup a significant portion of their investment to let him go.
Could Union really afford him? And even if they could, do they like him enough to spend what it would take to move him?
would love to see him in Italy, I think he’d do well there
Union seems to rate him (both fans and staff alike) and what he brings to the table definitely fits a lot of what they do…but yeah, money will probably be the sticking point there.
There’s getting money back on your investment and then there’s keeping a guy that wanted out when things were tough. If he left on good terms it’s fine to bring him back, if he hurt feelings for forcing a loan then maybe you just cut ties and keep your culture. I’m not sure Leeds fans will be the most forgiving which might also be a factor.
great points JR
Leeds fans were pretty merciless on Aaronson 2nd half of the season with some reason, have made it very clear they don’t want any of the loanees back. People will forget these things quickly if you perform- Leeds fans managed to quickly forgive Gnonto after all the stuff he pulled trying to leave, then refusing to play etc. But Aaronson would have zero room for error… at his level immediately producing in the PL under duress from disgruntled fans is a big ask and a real pressure cooker to put yourself into. Who knows, last few matches Leeds seem to be trying their best to find a way to sabotage what looked to be a good chance to promote.
rico po,
Brenden was the best loved by Leeds fans for the same reason many of y’all are willing to give Brenden a pass on a putrid, awful 18 months or so since he went to Leeds.
He’s coachable, willing to run all day, relentless, willing to run all, day, nice guy, willing to run all day. In the words a more skilled Ariolla, who is also willing to run all day. But lately , that skill differential seems to have disappeared. Leeds fans appreciate that kind of effort. But by the end of the season even they figured out what the difference was between a 30 million player and what they got with Brenden, He may be the most coachable player in existence but there’s got to be something there to coach.
Leeds 40 appearances 1 goal, 3 assists
Union 32 appearances 2 goal 0 assists (went 45 minutes or more only 8 times.)
This kind of performance might be okay if you were 19 years old and cost 3 million. Brenden is 23 and cost 30 million. Higher expectations come with that kind of money. For context, CP11 cost Milan about 20 million.
Y’all love the guy in great part because unlike Gio , he’s not a diva shitbag. He’s also nowhere near as good.
Brenden says he’s open to staying with Union. What has Union said or do they have a vote in this?