Atlanta United have brought back club legend Miguel Almirón, announcing Thursday they’ve acquired the star midfielder from English Premier League side Newcastle United.
Almirón, who led Atlanta to the MLS Cup 2018 title before joining Newcastle for a then-MLS-record outbound transfer fee, has signed a three-year guaranteed contract through 2027 with an option for 2028.
The 30-year-old Paraguay international will occupy Designated Player and international roster slots, arriving for a reported $10 million transfer fee plus add-ons.
To complete the deal, Atlanta acquired Almirón’s Discovery Priority from Charlotte FC in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Miguel back to Atlanta United and know we’re getting a top player and someone with excellent character,” said chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson.
“He’s a dynamic attacking player with proven success in our league as well as at the highest level in Europe in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Newcastle. We’re pleased to add someone with his talent, experience and competitiveness to our group as we continue to build the roster for 2025.”
Premier League-proven
Almirón’s Atlanta reunion follows a six-year stint at Newcastle, where he posted 30g/12a in 223 appearances across all competitions. His best EPL season came in 2022-23, when he scored 11 goals and was named Player of the Month for October.
Almirón boosted his national team profile while playing in Europe, becoming a go-to starter for Paraguay. He has 8g/5a in 64 caps, featuring prominently during their last three FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and appearing at Copa América 2024 in the United States.
“I’m very happy to return to Atlanta United, a club and a city that has always held a special place in my heart,” said Almirón.
“I’m grateful to Arthur M. Blank and the entire organization for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to reuniting with the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and creating more moments of joy together.”
Atlanta homecoming
Almirón begins his second Atlanta stint after two legendary seasons from 2017-18, notching 22g/30a in 70 matches across all competitions.
While forming an iconic attacking partnership with now-San Jose Earthquakes striker Josef Martínez, Almirón won 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year, was a 2018 Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalist and earned two MLS Best XI presented by Continental nods. During their second season, the Five Stripes memorably won MLS Cup 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Almirón bolsters an Atlanta attack that includes fellow DP midfielder Alexey Miranchuk and winger Saba Lobjanidze. They’re reportedly in the market for a DP striker as well.
Under new head coach Ronny Deila, the Five Stripes kick off their 2025 season on Feb. 22 at home against CF Montréal (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
Exciting news for Atlanta United fans as the club has officially re-acquired midfielder Miguel Almirón from Newcastle United. The Paraguayan playmaker was a fan favorite during his time with Atlanta, helping lead the team to an MLS Cup victory in 2018.
Almirón’s return is sure to reignite the team’s attack and provide a much-needed spark in the midfield. His speed, vision, and creativity on the ball make him a dangerous weapon for any opponent.
Fans can’t wait to see Almirón back in the red and black stripes, and his presence on the field is sure to elevate the team to new heights. Welcome back, Miguel Almirón! #UniteAndConquer #WelcomeBackMiggy
Miguel Almiron may have played his last game in a Newcastle United jersey – Getty Images/Eddie Keogh
As Miguel Almiron prepares to say goodbye to Newcastle United, it is the right time to pay tribute to a player who may not have been the best winger to have worn the black and white stripes, but none have worked harder or cared more.
This matters more than the modern fan ever seems willing to accept. At least in the divisive world of social media, where it is more common for a player’s shortcomings to be chastised than his qualities lauded.
Almiron had his limitations, especially as a left-footed right winger, who could not cross the ball with his weaker foot. He did not score enough goals, or deliver enough assists, to be considered an elite Premier League winger, but he had pace and stamina and never gave anything less than everything.
As strange as it may sound, that is a rare and precious thing. A player who simply loved playing. A Paraguayan, whose command of the English language has never been more than basic, despite arriving six years ago, who instinctively understood what being a Newcastle player, at its essence, is all about.
Like everyone, I have occasionally moaned and groaned during a game about Almiron. For example, that time against AC Milan, when he tried to tap home with his left foot when he should have gone with his right, allowing the defender to clear.
Or the promising attacking positions wasted, when he chose to cut back on to his left as he did not trust the quality of his right, and the chances missed with weak shots straight at the goalkeeper, but for £21 million – a club-record fee when Rafael Benítez signed him in January 2019 – Almiron still represented fantastic value for money.
Rafael Benitez signed Almiron in January 2019 – Serena Taylor
The 30-year-old once brought so much energy to the team, putting in a defensive shift as well as an attacking one.
He was not only a crucial component of the side who avoided relegation for three years under Benítez and Steve Bruce, he was superb under Eddie Howe for two years. Without him, Newcastle would not have qualified for the Champions League in 2023.
We are constantly told that all Newcastle fans demand is a player who tries, who wears the shirt with the same pride; soaks it in sweat and cares as deeply about the team as they would do. “Wor Miggy” did all of those things and combined them with an infectious smile that made him impossible to dislike, even when he made mistakes.
You will not hear a bad word said about Almiron from team-mates or staff. He was adored behind the scenes.
He did not have a bad or spiteful word for anyone. He never shirked or complained – even this season when it became clear, having rejected a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, that he was no longer part of Howe’s first-team plans.
His manager has described him as a “model professional” and, throughout their time together, he has always commented on his virtues rather than sniped at his drawbacks.
Newcastle could not have coped without Almiron when Howe first arrived. Kieran Trippier loved playing with him when he was at right-back, because he knew Almiron would always gallop back to help him.
Kieran Trippier (left) appreciated playing with Almiron for his selfless tracking back on his flank – Getty Images/George Wood
It was Howe who unleashed Almiron’s full potential. He was a willing and reliable workhorse under his two previous managers, arriving from Atlanta United in January 2019, but Howe turned him into a lethal weapon in the 2022-23 campaign.
Signed as a peace offering by former owner Mike Ashley to, unsuccessfully, pacify a combative and disgruntled Benítez, Almiron was better than any of the wingers already at the club.
With Allan Saint-Maximin on the left and Almiron on the right, Newcastle had a decent pair on the flanks under his successor Bruce. Saint-Maximin won games for Newcastle with his skill and flair, but Almiron’s less eye-catching role was just as important to the overall balance of the team. Saint-Maximin rarely tracked back, Almiron would do so all game.
Who could forget the noise and celebrations when Almiron scored his first goal for Newcastle, a late winner against Crystal Palace in his second season at the club? Or the two he scored away from home against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup when Bruce was under pressure.
However, it was Howe who took his game to another level in 2022. For 18 months or so, Almiron was magnificent.
Insulted the previous summer by Jack Grealish, who had mocked his Manchester City team-mate Riyan Mahrez by saying his performance was so bad “he had played like Almiron” during their title-winning party celebrations, Almiron responded in kind.
Newcastle fans made light of Jack Grealish’s comments about their favouriye Paraguayan – PA/Owen Humphreys
He scored in a dramatic 3-3 draw with City in August, and another two away to Fulham, which included a goal-of-the-season contender, a dipping volley from an acute angle that brought back memories of Paolo Di Canio’s famous strike for West Ham.
He scored 11 goals that season and formed a lethal partnership down Newcastle’s right flank with Trippier. Indeed, most of Newcastle’s football was played down that side of the pitch, so effective were they at hurting sides.
Almiron did miss Newcastle’s best chance of the game in the League Cup final defeat by Manchester United that season, but he was an integral part of the best Newcastle side for more than 20 years. People need to remember and, more importantly, respect him for it.
Just as nobody will ever forget the goal he scored against Paris St-Germain, the crucial first in Newcastle’s first Champions League game for two decades, which began a 4-1 thrashing of the French champions. That alone should be enough to ensure Almiron is celebrated whenever he returns to Tyneside.
Almirón scored an unforgettable goal in Newcastle’s thrashing of Paris St-Germain – Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
Almiron’s time at Newcastle is at an end; he is heading back to Atlanta. He is older and the club are evolving. There are better players in his position out there who Newcastle intend to sign in the summer.
But if ever a player has deserved a standing ovation at Southampton last weekend, flanked by his team-mates, shoved to the front by Howe, to hear his name being chanted, over and over again, it is “Wor Miggy”. “La la, la, la, la, la, la, la Miggy Almiron, Almiron, Miggy Almiron…”
The defence may never have been terrified or, indeed, on fire, but Newcastle won the games they did, under three different managers, because they had him in their side. He is not just a long-serving player, he has been, without question, a successful one too.
Newcastle United fans have always known the importance of Miguel Almiron to their team, but after Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish made some controversial comments about the Paraguayan midfielder, it’s time to set the record straight.
Almiron has been a key player for Newcastle since his arrival in 2019, bringing pace, skill, and creativity to the Magpies’ attack. Despite struggling to find his scoring touch in his early days at St James’ Park, Almiron has shown his quality time and time again, becoming a fan favorite in the process.
But when Grealish recently claimed that Almiron was not a threat to Aston Villa, Newcastle fans were quick to defend their man. And with good reason – Almiron has been a vital component of Newcastle’s attack, providing crucial goals and assists when needed most.
Whether it’s his lightning-fast pace, his quick footwork, or his eye for a killer pass, Almiron has proven time and time again that he is a lethal weapon for Newcastle. And no matter what Grealish may say, the stats don’t lie – Almiron has been a key player for the Magpies, and will continue to be a crucial part of their success in the future.
So next time Grealish tries to downplay Almiron’s impact, Newcastle fans can rest easy knowing that their lethal weapon will continue to deliver on the pitch, no matter what the critics may say. Miguel Almiron is a force to be reckoned with, and he will continue to shine for Newcastle United.
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He has signed a contract through to 2027 with the option for a further year.
Almiron played 70 times for Atlanta during a two-season spell in the United States and was part of the side that lifted the MLS Cup in 2018.
The Paraguay forward joined Newcastle in 2019 for around £20million, which at the time was a record fee for MLS, and initially struggled to make his mark at St James’ Park, scoring just three Premier League goals across his first three years on Tyneside.
He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022-23, scoring 11 times in the league to help Eddie Howe’s side to a fourth-placed finish and Champions League qualification. This term, he has been limited to just four starts in all competitions amid the resurgence of Jacob Murphy, who has become Howe’s preferred option on the right side of attack.
“On behalf of the club, I want to thank Miggy for everything he has given us during our time together,” said Howe.
“He has been the ultimate professional, and he has been a big part of some of our most memorable moments in recent seasons. He is a great person and we’ll miss him greatly, but this is the right move at the right time for him and his family and we wish them well.”
What does Almiron’s return mean for Atlanta and MLS?
Analysis by Felipe Cardenas
Almiron became an international star during his previous two-year stint in Atlanta. He was the club’s first designated player in 2017 and a key part of Atlanta United’s 2018 MLS Cup title run.
Despite constantly battling for a starting position during his time in the Premier League, he remains an important player with his national team, and 2026 World Cup qualification is a real possibility for the South American side. He’ll now return to MLS as a more mature footballer, hardened by the Premier League game and by unfulfilled expectations.
Almiron won the 2018 MLS Cup with Atlanta (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Almiron’s homecoming in Atlanta coincides with the club’s intention to become an MLS title contender in 2025. After winning the MLS Cup final in 2018, Atlanta United has since struggled to win on a consistent basis. The club’s front office was overhauled after former president Darren Eales left Atlanta to become Newcastle’s chief executive officer in 2021. He was replaced by former Seattle Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey, who was given the CEO title in Atlanta.
In 68 matches for Atlanta from 2017 to 2019, Almiron contributed 22 goals and 30 assists. During that time he was one of MLS’s most recognizable players, along with his strike partner Josef Martinez. Under manager Tata Martino (who resigned as Inter Miami’s head coach in 2024), Almiron and Martinez broke out as stars in North America. Martino built a fast-paced transition style of play around the two South Americans that took the league by storm and inspired the city of Atlanta.
Almiron’s return will receive plenty of attention stateside. How quickly he adapts to his new teammates, and to the weight of being a star man after years as a supporting actor at Newcastle, will be fascinating to watch.
How did we get here with Almiron and Newcastle?
Analysis by Newcastle writer Chris Waugh
Newcastle fans will wish Almiron only a fond farewell, recognising that the Paraguay international was an important player during a period of much upheaval.
But the 11-goal 2022-23 Premier League campaign was the exception when it came to end product for Almiron. Only 12 goals were spread across the six other seasons and, for all his endeavour and energy, decision-making in the final third was always a shortcoming.
(Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Regardless, Eddie Howe extracted huge improvement from Almiron and, for more than two years, he was first-choice right-winger. However, he has played only 157 Premier League minutes this season and there is an acceptance from all parties his time on Tyneside had reached a natural conclusion. Perhaps it should even have come sooner, given Almiron had been available for sale for the past year.
However, with Harvey Barnes currently injured, many Newcastle fans are questioning the logic of allowing a forward to leave given the dearth of attacking depth.
Yet profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) mean a sale of some form is essential and, with Almiron deemed expendable, Newcastle have picked up a reasonable fee for him. It does represent a risk, should injuries afflict their forwards, though.
GO DEEPER
Miguel Almiron: The journey of ‘The Eel’
(George Wood/Getty Images)
Miguel Almiron completes transfer to Atlanta United from Newcastle United
Exciting news for Atlanta United fans as the club has officially announced the signing of midfielder Miguel Almiron from Newcastle United. The Paraguayan international has been a standout player in the Premier League and his arrival is sure to bolster Atlanta’s midfield.
Almiron, who joined Newcastle United in 2019, is known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. He was a key player for the Magpies during his time in England, but has now decided to make the move back to Major League Soccer.
Atlanta United fans are thrilled to welcome Almiron back to the club, where he previously played from 2017 to 2018. His dynamic playing style and ability to create chances will undoubtedly be a huge asset to the team as they look to compete for the MLS Cup once again.
Stay tuned for more updates on Miguel Almiron’s debut for Atlanta United and how he will make an impact on the team’s performance in the upcoming season. Welcome back, Miguel! #ATLUTD #MiguelAlmiron
Atlanta United welcomed midfielder Miguel Almirón back to the club on a designated player deal through 2027 with an option for 2028, making official the highly anticipated homecoming of a key member of the club’s inaugural season and historic championship run in 2018.
Almirón spent two seasons playing for Atlanta United from 2017-2018, so this will be his second stint with the club.
His Newcastle United era
In two seasons playing for Atlanta United, Almirón was on top of the MLS world. He achieved the pinnacle when he and his team won the MLS Cup in 2018. Almirón then made the move overseas. At the beginning of 2019, the club transferred him to Newcastle United in the English Premier League.
He went on to have a strong career in the top-flight European league. In six seasons at Newcastle, the winger made 186 appearances in the English Premier League and finished with a total of 23 goals and six assists. His best season was arguably 2022-2023 when he recorded 11 goals.
His career at Newcastle pit Almirón with and against some of the most talented soccer clubs in the world. In 2023, he scored the opening goal for Newcastle in the club’s 4-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Summer’s homecoming preview at ‘un gran estadio’
Almirón actually played in Newcastle colors at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Two summers ago, Newcastle United was one of the teams to compete in the Premier League series. The summer tour brought Newcastle to Miggy’s old fortress at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a match against Chelsea.
Almirón scored the goal for Newcastle in the 1-1 draw. The finish reminded Atlanta fans of the wonderful memories he gave them. The crowd went wild, and Miggy was welcomed back warmly with chants of his name and a standing ovation.
The reception was a look into what Almirón’s homecoming will be like, as well as the city’s love for him, which will be on full display at the club’s season opener on February 22, 2025.
This is what he told the reporter after the match in Spanish:
“Para mí es muy importante el cariño de la gente. Yo también siento un cariño enorme hacia ellos y siempre es especial volver a jugar aquí en un gran estadio. Tambien es bueno que la gente disfrute de esta clase de partidos.”
“I feel so much warmth from the fans, and I have so much love for the fans as well, so I’m so happy they were able to enjoy a game as good as this one.”
An ambitious midfielder with technique and vision
That night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during that Premier League summer game was just a glimpse into the love and respect Atlanta and soccer fans alike have for Miggy.
During his time in Atlanta, he developed a deep connection for his city, which he speaks about directly in his piece in The Players’ Tribune. Almirón was a key piece for Atlanta United in the club’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Atlanta United first signed Almirón on December 5, 2016, making No. 10 the 10th player to join the club.
“Quiero contar contigo,” he wrote in 2017, a phrase that brought him to Atlanta. I want to rely on you. I want to win this together.
He was described as an ambitious midfielder capable of playing centrally or out wide. And he proved his ambition on the pitch. With his incredible speed, exceptional energy, creative playmaking and relentless pursuit forward, Almirón quickly became the symbol of the dynamic style Atlanta United was known to play.
Individually, the midfielder enjoyed rapid success. In 2017, he finished with nine goals and eight assists for Atlanta United. He got even better in 2018, and his production and energy contributed greatly to Atlanta United lifting the MLS Cup in only the club’s second season.
Almirón scored 12 goals and added 14 assists that season. He finished second in MLS MVP voting behind only Josef Martínez, who broke the league’s scoring record at the time in 2018. The teammates scored 48 goals combined, playoffs and regular season included, and formed a formidable and productive pair, coming together with the fusion to celebrate their goals.
“MLS is a really beautiful league, with great teams and facilities and supporters,” Almirón wrote in the Players’ Tribune. “It’s just different, is all. And that is good.”
A star that shined bright in Major League Soccer
Almirón arrived ahead of the 2017 MLS season as a player on the rise. At 22 years old, he was already regarded as one of the best players in Argentina’s top league with Club Lanús. His skill was admired by Atlanta’s head coach at the time, Tata Martino. The club’s scouting report alluded specifically to Almirón’s impressive skill, excellent technique and great vision.
He experienced success playing professionally in South America, winning titles for Lanús in the Argentina’s top division. Internationally, he had already made his debut with the Paraguay men’s national team prior to joining MLS. He started in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for his home country in 2018.
His success and prestige continued in Atlanta. With his attractive play and joyful smile, Almirón became one of the most popular players in MLS. He ranked No. 1 in the league’s list of 24 players under 24. His quality set an example, for the club and the league, of the kind of talent American soccer could attract and set up for success.
Miguel Almirón’s notable MLS accolades:
2x MLS Best XI selection (2017, 2018)
2x MLS All-Star (2017, 2018)
MLS Newcomer of the Year (2017)
2x finalist for the Landon Donovan MVP award (2017, 2018)
No. 1 player on the league’s 24 under 24 (2017)
Creating more moments of joy together
This time around, Atlanta United looks a little different for Almirón. He’s now 30 years old and joining a club that isn’t brand new and starting from scratch. The 2025 season marks a unique point in the club’s history. Atlanta United has a new president & CEO, a new sporting director and a new head coach compared to when Almirón left several years ago.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Miguel back to Atlanta United and know we’re getting a top player and someone with excellent character,” Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson said.
The roster looks very different too. Only goalkeeper Brad Guzan remains from the squad Almirón left. Thinking about Almirón playing alongside fellow speedster Saba Lobjanidze, a creative passer like Alexey Miranchuk, and young spark plugs like Luke Brennan, it will be exciting to see the product Atlanta United puts on the pitch.
Almirón will be integrated quickly and part of fulfilling head coach Ronny Deila’s vision of an attacking and aggressive team. The midfielder is expected to begin training with the group during the trip to Florida in preseason.
Miggy also brings with him a winning mentality. He will be part of the club’s goal to compete for trophies on a consistent basis and add that second star above the badge.
“I’m very happy to return to Atlanta United, a club and a city that has always held a special place in my heart,” Almirón said. “I’m grateful to Arthur M. Blank and the entire organization for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to reuniting with the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and creating more moments of joy together.”
After a successful stint with the Newcastle United in the English Premier League, Miguel Almirón is back where he made a name for himself – Atlanta United. The dynamic midfielder has returned to the team that launched him into stardom, and fans couldn’t be more excited.
Almirón was a key player in Atlanta United’s historic MLS Cup victory in 2018, and his return has sparked a new wave of optimism for the team. His creativity, pace, and goal-scoring ability will no doubt provide a much-needed boost to the squad as they look to make a strong push for the playoffs this season.
Welcome back, Miggy! Atlanta United fans are thrilled to have you back in the red and black, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to the team this time around. Let’s make some more magic happen on the pitch! #WelcomeBackMiggy #ATLUTD
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The merry dance that is the effect of PSR on Newcastle United’s transfer activity continues unabated throughout January, much to nobody’s delight.
Those three letters (profit, sustainability, rules) which we all have all had to accept are essential to modern football, yet that none of us truly understand because we do not have access to all of the financials involved.
In the summer, Newcastle were able to make a strong effort to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, who would have cost upwards of £50million. But now the focus is on potential exits, with Miguel Almiron the most likely to depart, and some supporters are questioning why that is the case. Howe said this morning:
“It’s not as clear as everyone will make out. There’s not a pot of money there just waiting to be spent.”
Even he accepted his answer was about as comprehensible as Newcastle’s turnaround in form, which has seen them jump from 12th to fourth inside a month and able to set a new club record for consecutive victories in all competitions (10) against Bournemouth tomorrow.
Almiron, as things stand, is set to be on the bench for that lunchtime kick-off, despite Atlanta United being in negotiations to re-sign the winger. While not denying Almiron could still leave this month, Howe insisted nobody inside Newcastle wants to lose players this month, but the PSR reality is that they are best placed doing so.
Lloyd Kelly is less likely to depart, despite his lack of minutes, and Howe showed his irritation at news of a bid being rejected this week leaking out, describing the “rumours” as being “club-driven from Fenerbahce, not from the player”.
The speculation will not end there though, with more than a fortnight still to go in this window.
And unfortunately, I’ll be writing and you’ll be reading those three annoying letters — PSR — time and again during that time…
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted that he is still unclear on the futures of midfielders Miguel Almiron and Matty Longstaff.
Almiron has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park in the January transfer window, with clubs in Europe reportedly interested in the Paraguayan international. However, Howe has said that he has not yet made a decision on the 27-year-old’s future.
Similarly, young midfielder Matty Longstaff’s future at Newcastle is also uncertain, with reports suggesting that he could leave on loan in search of more regular first-team football.
Speaking to reporters, Howe said, “I’m still evaluating the squad and the players we have. Miguel and Matty are both talented players, but I need to assess what is best for the team moving forward. I will sit down with them both and discuss their futures in the coming weeks.”
Newcastle fans will be eager to see what decisions Howe makes regarding the two players, as they look to push up the Premier League table in the second half of the season.
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