Leeds snap up 'Medford Messi' as Aaronson reunites with Marsch

In the cellar of his family home in the quaint township of Medford, New Jersey, Brenden Aaronson and his younger brother would face off for hours on their carpeted soccer pitch.

When the 21-year-old debuts for Leeds United in front of 38,000 at Elland Road in August, it will feel a world away from that basement.

But the skills on display will owe much to those underground duels. It is with good reason the United States star is nicknamed ‘The Medford Messi’.

Aaronson, an attacking midfielder, will arrive at Leeds from Red Bull Salzburg this summer, with a £22million deal confirmed on Thursday. The Whites had tried to sign him in January, but such was the Austrian club’s determination to keep him, they ignored a second offer of £20m.

Aaronson starred as Salzburg came within seconds of a famous win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of February’s Champions League last-16 tie, creating their opening goal only for Kingsley Coman to equalise at the death. They lost the the second leg 7-1.

But he leaves, after just 18 months, with two league and cup doubles. Salzburg will also make a profit of £15m on a player they paid Philadelphia Union around £7m for in January last year.

Aaronson’s size was a big problem until recent years. He would cry, even as late as 16, when driving home with his parents after matches in which he was physically intimidated by boys of his own age. But a growth spurt before leaving home for Indiana University, taking him to 5ft 10in, accelerated his career.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch was in charge of Salzburg when they signed his young countryman. ‘He’s very aggressive, he runs all day, he’s clever on the ball. He does all the things we like in a player,’ said Marsch last year.

The compliment was soon