Leeds United ace Brenden Aaronson has admitted it was an ‘amazing feeling’ to be joined by a couple of familiar faces at the club following his arrival at Elland Road.
The American attacker was the first name brought in by Leeds in the summer as he signed from RB Salzburg for around £25m.
He was quickly followed by Salzburg teammate Rasmus Kristensen in early June before compatriot Tyler Adams was recruited to fill the void left by Kalvin Phillips.
The trio have become regular starters in West Yorkshire under Aaronson’s fellow USA native, Jesse Marsch.
Speaking on the Men In Blazers podcast, Aaronson discussed what it meant to see a couple of close friends follow him to Leeds.
He said: “It was great. Of course, when I got there, I didn’t know that Rasmus or Tyler were even going to be there.
“At the time that I signed and everything was done and I went for my signing and stuff – that’s even a crazy story, as I went there just thinking, ‘ah, I’m just gonna have to get used to the guys on my own’.
“But then knowing that Rasmus and, of course, Tyler signed, it was an amazing feeling. You know, having someone to go around Leeds, to explore, to get used to my new teammates and just having someone to just be there for you, it’s amazing.”
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The 22-year-old has certainly seemed to settle in quickly at the Whites, having started all 12 Premier League games at the club so far this season.
He has grabbed one goal and one assist, but ESPN pundit Steve Nicol has been more than impressed with his work off the ball as well.
His skills will likely be on show this winter as his United States team take on England, Iran and Wales at this month’s World Cup, with Aaronson and Adams potentially on course to go head-to-head with Jack Harrison in the group stages.
Only Robin Koch among Leeds’ outfielders has played more minutes than the 24-cap USA international, and according to WhoScored, he is the fourth-best player in terms of average match rating, with Kristensen in second and Adams sixth.
Those friendships off the field have clearly helped all three men adapt to their new surroundings, and following a dramatic victory at Anfield last Saturday, they will be intent on helping the club climb the table before the World Cup break.