US International Paxten Aaronson Nears Record MLS Return with Colorado Rapids

Paxten Aaronson, a 21-year-old U.S. men's national team midfielder, is set to return to Major League Soccer by transferring from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt to the Colorado Rapids in a deal reported to be worth around €7 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, potentially a club-record fee. Despite a strong season on loan at Eredivisie club FC Utrecht, where he scored 8 goals and contributed 4 assists, Aaronson struggled for consistent first-team opportunities at Frankfurt and opted for the move to MLS seeking stability and proximity to family. The Rapids have a history of signing young American players returning from Europe, but Aaronson is considered more promising than previous signings, having been nominated for the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year and viewed as a rising star. Colorado, currently seventh in the MLS Western Conference, hopes Aaronson can bolster their squad and help them contend for playoff success while providing a core of young talent for the future. The move has surprised many given Aaronson's talent and European experience, but it aligns with his goals of securing regular playing time and maintaining his spot on the USMNT ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States. This transfer underscores the Rapids' strategy of investing in young national talent to build a competitive team beyond relying on aging European stars.