Colorado Rapids Near Club-Record Signing of USMNT Midfielder Paxten Aaronson from Frankfurt

The Colorado Rapids are close to finalizing a club-record transfer deal to acquire U.S. international attacking midfielder Paxten Aaronson from Eintracht Frankfurt. The $7 million upfront fee, with additional add-ons, would mark the highest transfer fee for the Rapids, funded largely by the recent $8 million sale of Djordje Mihailovic. Aaronson, 21, who previously played for the Philadelphia Union before moving to Europe, had successful loan spells at Dutch clubs Vitesse and FC Utrecht, where he showed strong goal and assist numbers. Despite limited Bundesliga minutes, Aaronson is expected to become a key player for the Rapids, potentially filling the Designated Player role vacated by Mihailovic, as the club aims to strengthen its playoff push in MLS. This move represents a strategic return of a homegrown talent from Europe to MLS, with Aaronson also having an emerging role in the USMNT, including participation in the 2025 Gold Cup. The transfer window closes Thursday, and Aaronson is scheduled to travel to Colorado to complete the deal.