What squad numbers Brenden Aaronson could wear at Leeds United next season after his return to Elland Road

Add as preferred source on Google

Brenden Aaronson has made the shock decision to return to Leeds United next season.

Despite confirmation from Union Berlin last month that he would not be joining permanently, it had seemed highly unlikely Aaronson would ever be brought back into the fold at Elland Road.

However, after talks with Daniel Farke, Aaronson has now committed his future to Leeds for next season’s promotion push, wavering the option in his deal to go out on loan again.

Leeds had clearly thought there was no way back for Aaronson when he left 12 months ago, as they immediately handed his number seven shirt over to last summer’s marquee arrival Joel Piroe.

Upon his return for pre-season next month, Aaronson will now be going in search of a new squad number and here are the three we think he is most likely to take up.

• READ MORE: Report: Leeds United now ready to battle Victor Orta and League champions to sign winger this summer

Number 11

Leeds were actually without a number 11 for the entirety of last season after it was left vacated by Jack Harrison, who also left on loan.

However, unlike Aaronson, it does not appear as though there will be a way back at Leeds for Harrison as he looks set to take up the option that allows him to leave temporarily again, to Everton.

The number 11 is widely regarded as a squad number for one of the attacking players and thanks to his ability to play both out wide or as an attacking midfielder, as well as the fact he wore it back at RB Salzburg, this one feels the most likely.

Number 22

Incidentally this is another number linked to Harrison while he was at Leeds, as it was the one he wore prior to moving down to the 11 shirt.

Archie Gray was actually the man who donned this last season, but he is perhaps deserving of a better number, providing Leeds can stave off interest and keep him at the club.

If both Charlie Cresswell and Liam Cooper were to leave as expected, that would leave both the five and six shirt open. Plenty of midfielders wear the latter these days and Gray therefore could be handed it.

If that was to happen, Aaronson could then potentially take the 22 shirt, which is what he had back in his Philadelphia Union days.

• READ MORE: Chelsea open to offers for Brenden Aaronson’s former teammate on loan and Leeds United should move

Number 10

Perhaps reluctantly to say, but it would not be a surprise to anyone if the number 10 shirt became vacant this summer.

Since Raphinha’s exit in 2022, Crysencio Summerville was the man with the 10 shirt and last season he certainly stepped into the role of arguably football’s most iconic squad number, even getting his own chant.

Unfortunately due to Leeds’ failure to win promotion, he is looking likely to move on this summer and that could therefore open the door for Aaronson to take it.