BREAKING: Newcastle United Officially Sign Miguel Almiron

Newcastle United have officially announced the signing of Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron for a reported fee of £20million.

The 24 year old Paraguayan broke the club’s previous transfer record fee of £16.5million held by Michael Owen. A record that had not been broken since 2005.

At £20million Almiron is also the most expensive signing in MLS history, and his sale makes Atlanta the leader in all time MLS transfer fee revenue after only being in the league for 2 seasons.

Almiron’s transfer is also the 6th most expensive transfer in the January window sitting behind the deals for Morata, Paredes, Paqueta, and Piatek.

Almiron comes to Newcastle after a successful 2 year stint in America’s top tier domestic league, the MLS, in which he amassed 21 goals and 28 assists during his time there. Almiron was named “Newcomer of the Year” in his first season with the MLS, was named an all-star both seasons in the MLS, and was named to the league’s “Best XI” both seasons. Additionally, Almiron finished 2nd in MVP voting this past season behind teammate, and MLS goal scoring record holder Josef Martinez.

Almiron successfully led Atlanta United to their first MLS Cup victory this past season, and helped secure the team a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League for the upcoming season.

Almiron’s rumored departure to Newcastle was confirmed by Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal Constitution on January 29th, after much speculation that the midfielder was going to be sold in January.

This announcement came after increased speculation that from the announcement of Atlanta United signing Argentine Pity Martinez, who is slated to be Atlanta’s replacement for Miguel Almiron.

Rafa Benitez had this to say about Miggy:

We were following Miguel Almirón 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.

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.

From talking to the lad, you can tell that he is really focussed and wants to do well. He wants to be successful and he wants to help the team, to score goals and give assists if it is possible.

His impact in MLS has been really good - he’s been one of the best players this year - and hopefully he can give us more competition and more quality in the final third.

I am pleased that the hard work behind the scenes has ended positively and I thank everyone for their efforts.

Miguel seems excited to be here, and cites Rafa as one of the reasons he chose to come to Newcastle.

The league is very competitive, this is a historic club, and Rafa Benitez himself were the main reasons why I am here now.

Almiron joins a Newcastle team that currently is sitting 14th in the Premier League table. Newcastle take on a weakened Tottenham side at Wembley Stadium this weekend. As it stands, it is not likely that Almiron will make his debut this weekend.