Brenden Aaronson admits he cannot wait to start learning again under Jesse Marsch. Leeds United kickstarted their summer transfer window by signing the attacking midfielder from RB Salzburg for a reported £25million.
It was Marsch who signed his fellow American in January last year - a relationship that lasted just five months before the manager left for pastures new to join RB Leipzig. However, the short time spent together was a success as Salzburg clinched a historic league and cup double.
Aaronson has heaped praise on Marsch by claiming he played the best football of his career under the 48-year-old’s guidance while also labelling him a “fantastic coach”.
He told BBC Radio Leeds: "I think I played some of my best football under him and I'm excited to get back to him. Of course, we are both American and it's amazing but we see each other on a coach/player level.
"We're not closer than that which is good and I want to learn from him and do whatever I can to learn more from him because he's a fantastic coach.
"He did amazing things in America in MLS with New York Red Bulls and that's when I first learned about him and then after that, he went to Red Bull Salzburg then Red Bull Salzburg and was the head coach there. And I came halfway through the season two years ago, so it was a whirlwind then too, going in January, but it was a good time for me and I learned a lot under him.
The Whites’ new arrival also revealed how Marsch helped him settle into a new country - a task he must fulfil again now the player is in England. He admits moving to Austria from the United States at 20-years-old was daunting but the support from his manager made life easier.
"When I went to Salzburg, it was something I was uncomfortable with,” Aaronson added. "I had been living at home with my family, playing for the Philadelphia Union and then I finally moved to Salzburg and I was away from them with my family and my girlfriend and my brother and sister and it was tough.
"Jesse took me to that next level by focusing on my football and getting me better in the offensive positions and scoring goals and getting assists. That's where I felt like I made my jump in Salzburg.”
Despite emerging as one of the brightest talents on the continent, Aaronson is not underestimating the challenge ahead. He knows the quality England’s top flight possesses but is not daunted by the prospect of mixing it with the big boys.
He said: “I think it's going to be a jump. But I played Champions League football, I played at that high level and we played Bayern (Munich) so I know what that top level is like and I feel like I can hang with it and do the best I can."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
