Brenden Aaronson makes Premier League admission after Leeds United decision
Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson has said that the prospect of playing in the Championship next season is a “challenge” that he wants to be up for.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, the 23-year-old USA international stated his intent to help Daniel Farke’s side get promoted back to the Premier League after confirming he’ll return to Elland Road.
Aaronson spent last season out on loan at Bundesliga side Union Berlin following the Whites’ relegation, and said that he comes back from Germany a stronger player, ready for the promotion challenge.
He said: “I felt like I had unfinished business here. It’s a grind, a challenge I want to be up for.
“I gained six pounds of muscle mass, which is huge for me. I had to gain weight. At Union, we were without the ball much more. It forced me to get stronger and win more duels.
“Coming back, I’m going to do the best I can. All I want to do is bring Leeds back to the Premier League.”
Brenden Aaronson must deliver for Leeds United next season
Aaronson’s return to Elland Road, only confirmed on 12 June, will no doubt raise a whole host of eyebrows given his clear intention to leave on loan at the start of last season [Graham Smyth].
Having featured in a second consecutive relegation battle in 2023/24, albeit this time a successful one with Union Berlin, the prospect of challenging at the upper end of the table is much more enticing for Aaronson [Instagram].
However, given he’ll be playing in England’s second-tier, Aaronson could be doing his international chances with the US National Team some damage if he doesn’t play well.
Added to the inevitable challenge he’ll have in winning back the support of the Elland Road crowd, Aaronson simply must hit the ground running to put an otherwise dismal two-year spell – in the eyes of most fans – to bed.
If he can finally string together consistent performances in the white shirt, all may be forgiven, but Aaronson must be seen to be contributing towards a promotion-winning campaign if he’s to get the Elland Road faithful back onside.
In other Leeds United news, Graeme Bailey has made a transfer prediction about Willy Gnonto.
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