Paxten Aaronson prepares for starting role at Eintracht Frankfurt | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt’s decision to retain the services of USMNT International Paxten Aaronson this season looks to work out for both parties. After two seasons on loan in Holland, the 21-year-old is preparing to once again feature for his Bundesliga side in the forthcoming season. Aaronson is naturally feeling quite at home during Eintracht’s pre-season training camp in the USA.

Frankfurt prepare to kickoff against the academy side of both Paxten and his elder brother Aaron, Philadelphia Union, in a pre-season friendly today. Aaronson already impressed in a recent friendliest against Louisville and Aston Villa. Aaronson has mostly worked as a ten in preseason, but has also returned from Holland with some additional experience as a holding six and even a makeshift left-back.

“It was a very good decision to give him more playing time,” Eintracht head coach Dino Toppmöller noted in a recent interview with Kicker. “What he demonstrated [during loan stints with Vitesse and Utrecht] in the Netherlands was impressive. Now we’re happy to have him back.”

Aaronson’s second loan stint constituted quite the breakthrough. The New Jersey native scored nine goals and contributed six assists in 37 competitive appearances for the Domstedelingen. The youngster’s estimated market value has increased to a career-high €8m. He’s earned three of his four USMNT caps in the current 2025 calendar year.

Like any other American footballer, Aaronson dreams of representing his home country in next summer’s partially US-hosted FIFA World Cup. Still used exclusively as a sub by USMNT head-coach Mauricio Pochettino this year, however, the younger Aaronson brother still has much to prove. As a potential starting candidate to start at as Bundesliga club, Paxten possesses a wonderful opportunity to raise his profile.

Paxten isn’t necessarily inexperienced in the Bundesliga. Former SGE head coach Oliver Glasner handed him seven relief appearances during the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign. Toppmöller himself gave Paxten seven appearances during the first half of the 2023/24 season. Paxten registered Bundesliga assists under both coaches.

Toppmöller used Paxten as a wide buttressing support attacker in a 3-4-2-1 in the player’s lone Bundesliga start. Paxten’s performance in the 2-1 away loss at Augsburg left much to be desired. The matchday 13 start in December of 2023 happened to serve as Paxten’s last appearance for the SGE. Eintracht opted to loan him out to Vitesse the following month.

This year already appears to shape up quite differently. Toppmöller has been testing out a 4-2-3-1 in the two recent friendlies. Paxten anchors the attack from the ten slot. The American might end up mimicking the role of German footballing legend Mario Götze whenever Toppmöller employed similar tactics in the past. Paxten’s recent enthusiastic comments seemed to suggest he’s ready.

“I got used to the rhythm and learned how to treat my body,” Aaronson told Kicker when commenting on his time in Utrecht. “I’ve improved many aspects [of my game] and learned to play different positions.

“I don’t think there’s a better club than Eintracht for my chance to play in the World Cup,” Aaronson also noted confidently. “They invest a lot of time in developing young players here.

“I have no doubt that the coach and the entire staff are fully committed to helping me develop and improve so that I can reach the necessary level,” Aaronson concluded.

GGFN | Peter Weis