Aaronson: Salzburg "teaches you winning mentality" - "Whoa these guys are huge"

It was a historic transfer by Major League Soccer standards. In October, Red Bull Salzburg signed Brenden Aaronson from the Philadelphia Union for $6 million, with up to a further $3 million in possible add-ons (to the transfer details). It was the highest fee ever paid for an American product from a Major League Soccer academy. In an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt, Aaronson talked about his transfer from the Union to Salzburg, playing under Jesse Marsch, the differences between the Austrian Bundesliga and MLS as well as the next superstars that could make the jump from Philadelphia to Europe. 

"It's a big honor to be one of the most expensive," Aaronson said with a smile on his face. "But I don't know; I think someone has already broken it." That might not be quite yet the case. Aaronson still holds the record for the most expensive American developed and sold by an MLS club. That record, however, could be broken soon by FC Dallas product Bryan Reynolds once Roma make that deal permanent (details here). 

Not that Aaronson will care too much. The 20-year-old playmaker has had a fantastic start in the Austrian Bundesliga. Since officially joining the Red Bulls, Aaronson has scored seven goals and three assists in 22 games, including a fantastic goal in the ÖFB Cup victory over LASK. "It's been amazing," Aaronson said to Transfermarkt. "Everybody around me has been amazing. "I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys and a better coaching staff." The club also played a major role. "I got my apartment figured out right away and only spent a month in a hotel." 

Aaronson Salzburg "has been amazing" - "Tough" to get whole experience

Aaronson also told Transfermarkt that he had been joined by his girlfriend, which helped him get grounded. Living in Salzburg, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, is another factor. "I mean it's tough to get the whole experience, but for me, it's been amazing because I've got to meet a lot of the people here, the lifestyle, the things they eat that kind of thing and I really love it and I love the food so far," Aaronson said. 

When Salzburg came knocking, Aaronson quickly jumped on the opportunity. "I knew that this was a club that is developing young players and then push them on to make even bigger steps, and teaches you a winning mentality," Aaronson said. That winning mentality is something the club lives and breathes; Aaronson points out that the minimum is to win the championship and the cup every year and be competitive in the Europa League or Champions League. 

Winning, in fact, is above everything and is a major part of the club's daily routine. "I'm learning this every single day here," Aaronson said. "They take everything seriously, like, little games like fun pickup basketball game, they take this so seriously it's crazy, everything is taken so seriously here, the competitiveness of the team is crazy, and I think that that's just that winning mentality that you get and then take on."

"It's been a good start" - Aaronson has seven goals in first season

Taking on that sort of mentality was also important for Aaronson to carve out a starting position in Salzburg's squad. By the time of writing, Aaronson has started in 11 out of the last 12 games for Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. The 20-year-old also started against Sturm Graz in the ÖFB Cup semifinal (4-0) and then in the above-mentioned ÖFB Cup win over LASK (3-0), where he scored one of the three goals. 

"It's been a good start," Aaronson said with a smile. Like with every question, the American quickly tries to downplay his achievements and point out that he is only at the start of his European adventure and still has to show himself in every training session. "I think the big thing for any young player is keeping consistency," Aaronson said. "I remember getting always told it's just about consistency and finding this steady kind of upward slope and going from there, and I feel like I've done that really well, and I've helped the team as best as I can, and I feel like we're doing really well I mean we just won the cup, and now we're in a perfect spot to win the league." 

That cup win, in particular, was a bit of a redemption for Aaronson. In 2020, the playmaker was part of a Philadelphia Union side that dominated the MLS regular season but then got eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup by the New England Revolution. "Winning the MLS Cup is really hard," Aaronson said. "You can be fantastic all season, and then you lose one game. I think to show what we did last season, how we won the Supporters' Shield, which is a little bit underrated. We beat New England four times in the regular season, and then they beat us in the first round. It is kind of annoying."

Aaronson: Titles with Salzburg "redemption" after season with Union

Salzburg are currently nine points ahead of second-place Rapid Vienna and could wrap up the title with another win. It would secure Aaronson's first national championship of his still-young career. "It hasn't quite sunk in yet," Aaronson said. "It is more about getting the job done now." 

Five months into his European career, Aaronson could soon have two additional titles to his growing trophy cabinet. But making the jump from MLS to the Austrian Bundesliga has also been about learning to play in a new league and competition. Despite not being one of Europe's top 5 leagues, Aaronson has been impressed by the level of play in Austria. "The biggest part is the physicality and the aggressiveness," Aaronson said. "[Head coach] Jesse [Marsch] calls it a Red Bull league; teams come after you man, we are the best team in the league, and everybody wants to beat you and comes with that extra bit of energy."

It has also meant that Aaronson, who describes himself as a natural number 10, had to develop his game even further. "People are closing you down much faster and are super strong," Aaronson said. "When I walked out on the pitch for the first time, I was like, "whoa," like; these guys are huge; they have some big guys here, big, big guys. And I think that's something I've had to keep getting used to and I think it's a little bit different than the MLS is just the aggression of when people win the ball and then go forward right away. MLS is a bit more ball playing, a bit slower."

Decision-making is another aspect that Aaronson pointed out. "I have to make decisions faster here, to be more creative, and I have to know what I will do with the ball even before I receive it." 

Aaronson: "Can't speak highly enough" of Marsch - "Know my brother's capabilities" 

That has been one aspect that Aaronson has worked on the most with his American compatriot and head coach Marsch. "He has been awesome; I can't speak of Jesse highly enough," Aaronson said. "We have this excellent connection, but not just because I am American, just because he right away treated me as one of the guys. He also does a really good job, we watch a lot of film, and he helps me to improve my game, and I have learned so much in just the five months that I have been here." 

Who could be the next Aaronson? Check out Philadelphia Union's squad Click here In many ways, Marsch and now Aaronson have been trendsetters, paving the way for even more American talent to make the track from MLS to Europe. One of those players could even be Brenden's brother Paxten, who is part of the Union's squad this season. "I know my brother's capabilities," Aaronson said. "I know what he can do and what he can do in the game, and I think for him now, it's just being patient and just waiting for his chance, and he'll take it. I know he will." 

Aaronson also pointed out Matt Real, Jack McGlynn, and Anthony Fontana as possible candidates who could jump to Europe. Fontana, in particular, could be the next Brenden Aaronson. "Fontana was really good last year. I think he's probably the closest one," Aaronson said. "I think he already has two goals [in the Concacaf Champions League] this year, and he's always outstanding in around the box, and I think he has a really great future."

What about Aaronson's future? Red Bull Salzburg has been a great stepping-stone club for players that wanted to make the jump to one of Europe's top 5 leagues, with Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) and Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig) being the latest two examples. "I was taught at a very young age to always live in the moment," Aaronson said. "I think, for now, I just want to enjoy the moment, playing and really develop my game, learning and score goals and assists."