Official: Almiron completes record transfer from Atlanta to Newcastle

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer

Long reported and expected, now finally official: Atlanta United have sold Miguel Almiron to Newcastle in a groundbreaking transfer, the club announced Thursday. The specific fee was not released by the clubs, though it’s been heavily reported to be $27 million and ATL confirmed that the amount sets a new MLS record for an outgoing transfer.

The move breaks the previous record just five months after Bayern Munich bought Alphonso Davies for a fee that could rise to $22 million. Additionally, Almiron is now the most expensive signing in Newcastle history, and has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with the English Premier League side.

#WorAlmirón pic.twitter.com/AtBDpct8eO

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 31, 2019

Almiron departs Atlanta after two scintillating seasons, during which the Paraguayan international notched 21 goals and 28 assists in 62 appearances while leading Atlanta to an MLS Cup triumph in just their second season in the league. He also won 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year, was a finalist for the Landon Donovan 2018 MLS MVP and was named to MLS Best XI in both campaigns. 

He formed a lethal partnership with striker Josef Martinez as the pair led Atlanta to 140 goals over the last two seasons. 

Rafa Benitez on Miguel Almiron: “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.He has the potential to do what we are expecting, & what we need.”

— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) January 31, 2019

Almiron arrived in Atlanta ahead of the 2017 season from Lanus in Argentina, already one of Latin America’s most coveted young attackers. At Lanus, he won a league title as well as the Supercopa. 

Newcastle are embroiled in a relegation scrap as Almiron arrives, in 14th place after 24 matches of their 38-game season. They precariously sit just five points above the relegation zone and have scored the third-fewest goals in the league.