Miguel Almiron has left Newcastle United to complete an emotional return to the club where he made his name.
The Paraguayan star has finalised a move to Atlanta United where he has penned a contract until 2027 with the option of a further year.
It’s understood that the fee paid to Newcastle was £10million.
It represents an emotional reunion for Almiron and Atlanta six years after he left the club for St James’ Park.
Having played 70 times for Atlanta, the midfielder moved to Tyneside for a £20million fee – a then-record fee for an MLS club.
In the time since that move, the 30-year-old went on to make 223 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 30 goals in the process.
However his best campaign undoubtedly came in 2022/23 when he scored 11 goals to help the Magpies to secure fourth place in the Premier League and a spot in the following season’s Champions League.
Now a true fans’ favourite, Almiron leaves with the best wishes of everyone at St James’ Park.
Reflecting on the move, Eddie Howe said: “On behalf of the club, I want to thank Miggy for everything he has given us during our time together.
“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.”
Now back with Atlanta, Almiron joins a side with lofty ambitions going into the 2025 campaign.
Atlanta have also agreed a deal worth £22million plus add-ons to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough.
The striker has scored 11 goals so far this term and 29 goals in 67 appearances since joining from Italian side Atalanta in the summer of 2023.
Should the move be completed, it would an MLS-record fee paid to the EFL Championship club.