After rumors of a potential Brendan Aaronson transfer, it is now official. The Philadelphia Union have agreed to a record-breaking transfer of homegrown midfielder Brenden Aaronson to FC Red Bull Salzburg. This is the Union’s first-ever outgoing European transfer, and it includes a multi-million-dollar transfer fee, as well as additional performance-based bonuses. This is also the highest ever transfer fee for a U.S.-based homegrown player. 

FC Red Bull Salzburg, a Champions League club, has won 14 league titles and are known for their development of younger players such as Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. Here’s what Salzburg’s sporting director Christoph Freund had to say about the transfer.

“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. 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.”

The 19-year-old midfielder is a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy and will finish this season before leaving the club. Aaronson joined the Union Juniors at age 11, and in 2018 he signed his first-ever professional contract. In his first game with the Union, he started and scored. Currently, in his second season with the Union, Aaronson has seven goals and five assists in 42 matches.

Union head coach Jim Curtin had great things to say about his time with Brendan Aaronson.

“Brenden is a special player who is always looking to improve. Over the past couple of years, he’s become very developed technically and the distance and speed he covers over the course of a game are unmatched. I look forward to watching him continue to grow and develop at Red Bull Salzburg. In the meantime, we’re happy to have him through the end of our 2020 season and I promise fans we’ll make the most of our time with him.” 

Here are Brendan Aaronson’s thoughts regarding the transfer.

“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. “Before working towards a career overseas, my first goal was to play on the Philadelphia Union field. My family had tickets to the inaugural season, so I grew up watching the team from the very beginning and I remember hoping one day to be on that field scoring in front of the home crowd. I am so incredibly appreciative of all my coaches, my family, and the Philadelphia Union fans. Like 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.”

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union