ATLANTA – Atlanta United today announced it has transferred Miguel Almirón to Newcastle United of the English Premier League for an undisclosed fee that breaks the league’s all-time record.
Since joining prior to the club’s inaugural season in 2017, Almirón was a two-time MLS Best XI selection, a two-time MLS All-Star, the 2017 Newcomer of the Year and a two-time finalist for the Landon Donovan MVP award.
“First and foremost, we want to thank Miguel for two incredible years with Atlanta United, culminating in winning MLS Cup last season,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said. “When we recruited Miguel, we knew he was a fantastically talented player, who could achieve success in Atlanta, develop his game further, and, if he wished, move to a top European League. Two years later, we couldn’t be happier with what Miguel has contributed to the club, and that he is realizing his dream of playing in the Premier League. He is a committed athlete who gives his all to the game and is loved by our fans as a player and as a person. We wish him nothing but the best in his career.”
In two seasons, Almirón appeared in 70 matches across all competitions and scored 22 goals with 30 assists. He was one of only two players to be selected to the MLS Best XI list in both 2017 and 2018, joining teammate Josef Martinez, and was the only player in the league to be named a finalist for the MVP award in each season. During the 2018 season, Almirón scored a career-high 12 goals and added 14 assists. He finished second in MLS MVP voting behind Martinez. In addition to the Best XI and All-Star selections, Almirón was named the MLS Latin American Player of the Year, the MLS Player of the Month in April and was a seven-time MLS Team of the Week selection.
In the 2017 season, Almirón scored nine goals and added a team-high 14 assists during his first season in MLS. Like 2018, he was voted an All-Star, a Best XI selection, and a finalist for the MVP award, while winning the league’s Newcomer of the Year. He was also named the No. 1 player on MLS’ 24 under 24 lists in 2017. He was also a two-time MLS Player of the Week, seven-time selection to the MLS Team of the Week, and won MLS Goal of the Week on three occasions.
“This is also a landmark day for Atlanta United,” said Eales. “We not only shattered the league transfer fee record but gave proof of concept for our original club model of signing top young players and giving them a chance to thrive and develop.”
Atlanta United continues its preseason as it travels to Los Angeles on Friday, Feb. 1 for a two-week camp. Its first match of the year will be against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Cal State Fullerton. The team will also play Club Tijuana at Fullerton (Feb. 6), Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium (Feb. 10) and LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park (Feb. 13). The team will then return to Atlanta prior to starting CONCACAF Champions League against CS Herediano on Thursday, Feb. 21.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/1/758534/atlanta-united-breaks-mls-transfer-record-almiron-officially-signs-with-newcastle-united