TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Philadelphia Union added to their youth movement on Monday, announcing that midfielder Brenden Aaronson has signed a Homegrown Player deal effective at the start of the 2019 MLS season.
The Union’s sixth current HGP and the ninth in club history, Aaronson, 17, has been a member of the Union’s youth system since age 10 and will move up from their USL side Bethlehem Steel FC, for whom he’s played 18 matches over the past two seasons as an amateur. He notched his first USL goal and first assist in a 4-1 win over Atlanta United 2 on July 29, earning USL Team of the Week honors.
“It’s a special moment for all of us in the Philadelphia Union family to welcome Brenden to the first team as a Homegrown Player,” said Union technical director Chris Albright in a club release.
“Brenden has earned this contract through his hard work in training and his play with Bethlehem Steel FC and the Union Academy. This is another signing that we believe is reflective of our club’s philosophy and our ownership’s commitment to developing local talent. We’d like to congratulate Brenden and his family on his decision to turn professional.”
A native of Medford, New Jersey, Aaronson is the first Union Homegrown from that state and is also a US youth international, having taken part in the youth national team summit in January with the U-19 national team.
