Brenden Aaronson has completed his medical ahead of a transfer from the Philadelphia Union to RB Salzburg with the deal all but complete, sources tell MLSsoccer.com. He will join the Austrian club in January.
MLSsoccer.com previously reported that the clubs reached a verbal agreement over his transfer on September 23. The Philadelphia Union declined to comment.
Aaronson, 19, broke into the Union first team in 2019 and has been a constant in the starting XI this year. He has four goals and three assists in 2020 and seven goals and five assists in 43 MLS regular-season appearances with the club. He earned his first call-up to US men's national team last October.
RB Salzburg is one of Austria's biggest clubs and is coached by American Jesse Marsch. The former New York Red Bulls manager guided Salzburg to their seventh consecutive league title last year, as well as their second consecutive Austrian Cup triumph. It was his first season in charge.
The Austrian Bundesliga transfer deadline day is Monday, though the clubs weren't working against the clock given the deal is for January.
A move to Salzburg could also see Aaronson take part in elite European competition. Marsch's side advanced to the group stage of the Champions League and were drawn against Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow. The group stage will be wrapped up before January. If Salzburg finish in the top two of their group, Aaronson will be with the team when they get to the knockout rounds. If they finish third in their group, they'll instead head to the Europa League knockout round.
There are plenty of connections between the two clubs as well. Union sporting director Ernst Tanner previously worked for RB Salzburg before joining Philly, while Marsch and Union head coach Jim Curtin played together at both Chivas USA and the Chicago Fire during their playing careers.
As previously reported by MLSsoccer.com and others, Aaronson was on the radar of many European clubs, including Hoffenheim, Celtic, Anderlecht and others.
