That cliche about a year being a long time in football? You don’t need to tell that to the Aaronson brothers. This time last year the younger of the two, Paxten, told NBC that it was “a surreal experience” watching his big brother, Brenden, starring for Leeds United in the Premier League matches he’d been watching on TV for years. You could sense not just the pride in his voice and demeanour, but genuine awe.
It had all been about Brenden, the elder by almost three years. Since building his reputation in MLS with Philadelphia Union, his ascent had been dizzying. His transfer to Red Bull Salzburg, signed off in October 2020 for a fee with the potential to rise to $9m, was a record for a homegrown Union player. Paxten made his professional debut, also for the Union, around six months later. By then, Aaronson senior was in another constellation.
