Miguel Almiron’s record-setting transfer from Atlanta United in MLS to Newcastle in the Premier League is complete.
The 24-year-old Paraguayan midfielder signed a 5-1/2 year deal with the English club. The transfer fee is reportedly $27 million, the most ever for a player from MLS. Atlanta United is expected to recoup approximately $22-23 million. Atlanta United did not disclose the transfer fee, but acknowledged in an announcement of the deal that it breaks the MLS all-time record.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the first to report the news of Almiron's sale on Tuesday.
"I’m very happy and eager to start and to meet my new team mates," Almiron told NUFC TV. "The league is very competitive, this is a historic club, and Rafa Benitez himself were the main reasons why I am here now.
"I think it is a great responsibility, something beautiful for me, and I will try to offer the best I can to repay the trust the club put in me."
Almiron scored 21 goals and added 28 assists for Atlanta United the past two regular seasons. He led the team to the MLS Cup in 2018, finished second in the MVP voting to Josef Martinez and was twice named an All-Star. He finished with 22 goals and 30 assists in all competitions.
"We were following Miguel Almiron for a while, and we saw a player with some pace in attack, who can play behind the striker. We have someone who can score goals and give assists,” Newcastle manager Benitez was quoted as saying on the team’s website.
"We know that MLS is a different challenge to the Premier League but he has the potential to do what we are expecting, and what we need.”
Newcastle is in 14th place in the Premier League with 24 points, five ahead of the three teams in the relegation zone.
"First and foremost, we want to thank Miguel for two incredible years with Atlanta United, culminating in winning MLS Cup last season," Atlanta United President Darren Eales was quoted as saying on the team's website. "When we recruited Miguel, we knew he was a fantastically talented player, who could achieve success in Atlanta, develop his game further, and, if he wished, move to a top European League. Two years later, we couldn't be happier with what Miguel has contributed to the club, and that he is realizing his dream of playing in the Premier League. He is a committed athlete who gives his all to the game and is loved by our fans as a player and as a person. We wish him nothing but the best in his career."
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