"Red Bull Salzburg has so many talents," the 20-year-old told MLSsoccer.com by phone from Austria. "It's hard to come in and just play."
His mindset on arrival was one of “If I don't play, then I'm going to show them why I should play.” As it turns out, this brand of resolve was not at all necessary.
"You get a chance and take it," he said matter-of-factly. "Now it's just keeping it going, and show them you can help the team on a day-to-day basis."
"The way we play here, the coaching staff, the players – it's just been a really smooth transition," said Aaronson. "We play with confidence. In every game, we come flying out of the gate.
"I'll do anything for my team to win, and that's something I've always prided myself on. I love the mentality here, where you're expected to win every game. You can even tell in training sessions, and it will only make me better."
"Pressing is something I've had my entire life," said Aaronson. "People always said I could run all day."
"Here, we don't speak of it as a winger," Aaronson explained. "It's more of a left-sided and right-sided No. 10. It fits me perfectly because I love cutting in on my right foot, switching fields or driving at the defender on my right foot."
"When they called, it was easy," Aaronson stated. "Just looking at the club and what they've done in the past, what they've created. It's something you can't pass up.
"There's a lot of outside things when you come over here,” Aaronson said. “I'm away from my family for the first time. You're not seeing your mom, not seeing your dad, not seeing your girlfriend. It's all over the phone, and that's hard for young players.
"I think I've adapted to the culture here," he added. "The city is so beautiful. My teammates have made me feel so welcome."
He enjoyed his first toe-dip into Europa League waters, with Salzburg suffering a 4-1 aggregate defeat against Round of 32 foe Villarreal.
"It was eye-opening," he said, taking a positive view of the experience. "It's crazy the level that Villarreal play at. For me, it was a learning process. Now, hopefully, I'll go into the next Champions League to show what I can do."
Aaronson takes a similar "in the now" stance when mention of Red Bull Salzburg's tendency to send players onto bigger and better leagues comes up. He'd surely love to follow in the ascending footsteps of former club stars like Erling Haaland, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane, but says there will be time for such things later.
"I just want to be the best player I can be," declared Aaronson. "I'm going to work for that every day. The club has a pedigree for taking young talent and making it better.
"That's always in the back of your head, you want to go as far as you can. But right now I'm just focused on winning the league title, and then winning the cup. Whatever comes, comes for a reason."
