Paxten Aaronson

Paxten Reid Aaronson (born August 26, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for club Utrecht, on loan from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, and the United States national team.

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 (plus add-ons), 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 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 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.

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.

Personal life
Paxten is the younger brother of Union Berlin and United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

Honors
Philadelphia Union
 * MLS Cup runner-up: 2022

Eintracht Frankfurt
 * DFB-Pokal runner-up: 2022–23

United States U20
 * CONCACAF U-20 Championship: 2022

Individual
 * CONCACAF U-20 Championship Best XI: 2022
 * CONCACAF U-20 Championship Golden Ball: 2022
 * CONCACAF U-20 Championship Golden Boot: 2022