Miguel Almiron on Atlanta United return: “I feel at home”

Six years after Paraguayan star Miguel Almiron left Atlanta United for a once-in-a-lifetime English Premier League move, he has returned to MLS.

Almiron touched down at Hartsfield International Airport on Thursday night after the 30-year-old sealed a return back to the Five Stripes. Atlanta United paid Newcastle United $12.5 million for Almiron’s services, six years after selling him to the Magpies for $26 million.

Now with Almiron set for a large role in Ronny Deila’s squad, he reflected on his early time back in Atlanta.

“I feel at home,” he said during a conference call with reporters Friday, with the help of a translator. “Especially last night, the welcome was really nice and it was great to see it and I feel like I’m home.”

Almiron took MLS by storm during his debut two seasons there in 2017-18. He totaled 22 goals and 30 assists in 68 league appearances, earning MLS Newcomer of the Year honors and also lifting MLS Cup.

His playmaking abilities paired with his clinical goalscoring prowess led to Almiron embarking to Tyneside, making a major jump in his career. Almiron quickly became a fan favorite at St. James Park, bringing a strong work rate and showing his versatility in the squad.

Almiron totaled 30 goals and 12 assists in 223 combined appearances, serving as a regular contributor in Eddie Howe’s squad across multiple competitions. Although his time in England maybe came to an end shorter than he and the Newcastle United fans would’ve wanted, Almiron loved his time there and hopes his experiences lead to a second successful spell with Atlanta United.

“I think the fans in Newcastle also treated me really well,” Almiron said. “I think it’s the same level of affection that I’ve received from both fan bases. I’m always going to be grateful to the Newcastle fans for that, for my time during my six years there. But that’s the same kind of respect and affection that I feel from the fans here in Atlanta.

“I think in the six years that I was in England, that experience helped,” he added. “I think I’ve matured and I think I’ll try to use that experience. I’ll try to bring that to the group here to try to help the group in the ways that I can. And I think for those reasons, they also brought me back.”