Brenden Aaronson has joined Union Berlin on loan from Leeds until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Sky Germany reported that the deal does not include a purchase option.
Aaronson departs one year after joining Leeds from Red Bull Salzburg in a $30 million transfer. He was heavily involved in his first Premier League season, appearing in 36 of the club’s 38 league games while starting 28 times.
The 22-year-old started the season strong but struggled as the campaign wore on, finishing with just one goal and three assists as Leeds was ultimately relegated from the Premier League.
He will now get a fresh start in the Bundesliga with Union, which surprisingly finished fourth last season to qualify for the Champions League.
“Union’s path and the success of the last few years did not go unnoticed in either the USA, Austria or England,” Aaronson told the club’s website.
“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.”
First he took Philadelphia and then he took Salzburg. Then he took Elland Road… And now he takes Berlin
Welcome to the club, Brenden. You're gonna love it here.
Eisern!!!— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) July 9, 2023
Aaronson will join his sometimes USMNT teammate Jordan Pefok at Union, and will also reunite in the Bundesliga with his younger brother Paxten, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt.
“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. Despite his young age, he already has a lot of international experience and will complement our squad at a high level,” said Oliver Ruhnert, Union’s managing director of men’s professional football.
Aaronson has 32 caps for the USMNT, appearing in all four of the team’s 2022 World Cup matches off the bench.
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