Leeds United star Brenden Aaronson believes the perception of American players has changed in Britain, with the 25-year-old expressing his gratitude to former stars that previously appeared in the Premier League.
Aaronson, alongside US teammate Tyler Adams, has impressed for the Whites this season under compatriot Jesse Marsch and both players could feature in their nation's World Cup clash against England on Friday evening.
However, the early, and rare, presence of Americans in the top flight saw many view individuals with a stereotype that considered those from the States to know little about the game and be inferior to their UK counterparts.
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Seven senior American players are registered to Premier League clubs for the 2022/2023 campaign, however, and Aaronson has hailed those that made an early move across the Atlantic. "I think a lot of American players have paved the way over here and haven't got enough credit for that," he told Sky Sports.
"Over the years there's been a ton of guys that have played in the Premier League and even in Europe. They have really made a name for us over here.
"Now you see a lot of Americans getting chances and it's unbelievable to see the amount of Americans playing on weekends, the number has just gone up and it will continue to do that.
"Time has changed and the perception of American players has changed too. Look at players like Christian Pulisic, he's so dynamic on the ball and has the technique and that's growing in American players and can be seen in Europe."
Adams, who recently became the USA's youngest captain at a World Cup since 1950, pointed to former Fulham star and current national team general manager Brian McBride as an example of those who helped develop a pathway for future stars.
He explained: "Brian McBride is obviously one of the guys that paved the way for Americans to come to England and he did that so well. Now we work first-hand with him on the national team and we can have conversations with him about what it was like back in the day when he was playing for Fulham.
"I think he even has a pub named after him in Fulham!"
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