Paxten Aaronson


Paxten Reid Aaronson is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids and the soccer team|United States national team].

Club career

Philadelphia Union

Aaronson began his career with the Philadelphia Union's YSC Academy and played for the club in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. After five seasons with the academy, Aaronson was called up to the Philadelphia Union II, the Philadelphia Union reserve team in USL Championship. He made his competitive debut for Union II on July 22, 2020, against New York [Red Bulls II], as a 67th-minute substitute for Steve Kingue.
In August 2020, Aaronson signed a homegrown contract with the first team beginning in 2021. In May 2021, he made his first team debut with the Union as a substitute in a 3–0 win over the Portland Timbers. Aaronson earned his first start for the Union in August where he scored the Union's equalizing goal against the New England Revolution. His debut goal earned him the league's Goal of the Week honor.

Eintracht Frankfurt

On November 17, 2022, it was announced that the Philadelphia Union and Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt had reached a deal for the transfer of Aaronson. The fee of the deal was reported to be in the region of $4 million, with a sell-on percentage for the Union also included. On March 19, 2023, Aaronson made his Bundesliga debut, being subbed on in the 82nd minute in a 2–0 loss against 1. [FC Union Berlin|Union Berlin].

Loan to Vitesse

On January 31, 2024, the deadline day of the winter transfer window, Aaronson joined Dutch club Vitesse on loan for the rest of the 2023–24 [SBV Vitesse season|season]. Though only playing the last 14 out of the 34 league games for Vitesse, he became the second top goalscorer, with 4 goals, behind Marco van Ginkel with 7 goals. Aaronson was seen as one of the better players of Vitesse in the 2023-2024 season, causing FC Utrecht, among other clubs, to gain interest in him.

Loan to Utrecht

On June 21, 2024, Eintracht announced that Aaronson had extended his contract with the club until 2028, and would subsequently join Dutch side Utrecht on loan for the entire 2024–25 season.

Colorado Rapids

On August 21, 2025, Aaronson returned to Major League Soccer, this time with Colorado Rapids on a five-year designated player contract through 2030. Aaronson was acquired for a club-record transfer fee of $7 million. On August 23, Aaronson made his debut for the Rapids when he came on as a 59th-minute substitute in a 3–0 loss to LA Galaxy. On October 18, the final match day of the season, Aaronson scored his first goal for the Rapids in a 2–2 draw with Los Angeles FC. As a result of the draw, the Rapids failed to qualify for the 2025 [MLS Cup playoffs|MLS Cup playoffs].

International career

In June 2022, Aaronson was called up to the United States national under-20 team at the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, where he scored seven goals in seven games, earning him both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot Awards at the tournament.
On January 29, 2023, Aaronson made his senior debut for the United States in a friendly match against Colombia.
On October 8, 2023, Aaronson was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan.
Aaronson was, together with his FC Utrecht teammate Taylor Booth, also called up for the United States soccer team on the 2024 Olympics, appearing four times and scoring twice, in the game against New Zealand, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the United States.

Personal life

Paxten is the younger brother of Leeds United and United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honors

Philadelphia Union
Eintracht Frankfurt
United States U20
Individual