Atlanta United reacquire Miguel Almiron from Newcastle United
It rained on the afternoon that Miguel Almiron took to the microphone in front of the local media. That didn’t stop the Paraguayan midfielder and former Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star from flashing his trademark bright smile when he entered the room on Friday, Jan. 31 for a press conference.
“I’m always very grateful for the fans in Atlanta, and not just for last night, but for when I arrived the first time back when not a lot of people knew who I was,” Almiron said.
Almiron entered the room along with Atlanta United Chief Soccer Officer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson and Atlanta United President & CEO Garth Lagerwey. His wife, son, and family also attended the press conference, which took place in the Atlanta Falcons room instead of the smaller Atlanta United press conference room. Friday afternoon was a big deal.
“Today is about Miguel,” Lagerwey said.
Almiron, who apologized for answering the reporter’s questions in Spanish, said he was looking forward to playing in front of the fans again.
“The support from the beginning has always been there and I am very grateful for that,”: he said.
Almiron, 30, returns to his only MLS home after six seasons in the English Premier League with Newcastle United. During his time across the pond, Almiron appeared in 223 matches for Newcastle United in all competitions. During the press conference, Almiron said he had always been grateful to Atlanta United for helping make his dream of playing in Europe come true.
There’s a buzz taking place around the return. So much so that Atlanta United supporters greeted Almiron and his family in the international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday night.
Asked about that turnout, Almiron said he didn’t expect it, but appreciated it.
“I was very happy,” he said.
The last time Almiron played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium was for the English Premier League Summer Series in July 2023. Newcastle United played Chelsea and more than 70,000 fans attended the two-day series of matches that included Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford playing an inspiring and entertaining match. That match was when Atlanta United President& CEO Garth Lagerwey realized there was something special about the relationship between Atlanta United and Almiron.
“I remember that ovation that Miggy got,” Lagerwey said about the crowd reaction to Almiron during the match against Chelsea.
Almiron’s contract breaks down like this: Through 2027 with an option for 2028.
That means for the next three seasons Atlanta United will have one of the most experienced and versatile winger rotations in MLS. The team’s midfielder roster will make for interesting match-to-match rotations for new manager Ronny Deila this season. Along with Almiron and Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, and Saba Lobjanidze, the team has Alexey Miranchuk, Ajani Fortune, Edwin Mosquera, and Luke Brennan, who played well during the 2-1 preseason loss at Chattanooga on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Henderson said Almiron is going to bring energy to the team and that the completion of the Almiron deal was “an amazing testament to what Arthur Blank is doing for this club and for soccer in America.”
Asked if he wants to play on the right or left wing, Almiron said he will play wherever the manager wants him to play. He said he has learned a lot from his time in Europe and has grown as both a player and as a person.
