Rapids acquire attacking midfielder Paxten Aaronson
The Colorado Rapids acquired U.S. men’s national team midfielder Paxten Aaronson from the German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaronson will work as a replacement for the recently sold Djordje Mihailovic, and will cost the club up to $8.5 million.
The 21-year-old will be the second designated player on the roster and is under contract until 2030.
“Bringing Paxten to Colorado highlights our ambition and belief in his ability to impact our team immediately,” Rapids President Padraig Smith said. “He is the exact type of young, hungry player we want to build around at this club.”
Colorado hopes that Aaronson can fill the role of Mihailovic, as he’s proven he can compete with the best in Europe. In his loan spell with FC Utrecht he bagged eight scores in 33 games.
The Rapids currently sit seventh in the West, the last spot to secure a seat in the first round of the MLS Playoffs. This ambitious purchase shows the front office’s confidence in Head Coach Chris Armas and the young squad, even though the remaining schedule is extremely tough.
Aaronson and Colorado head to Dignity Health Sports Park to take on the reigning MLS champions, the LA Galaxy (3-7-16). The match will stream on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. MT.