Major League Soccer side Atlanta United have brought back Miguel Almirón from Newcastle United. The Paraguayan midfielder has signed a contract until 2027 with a club option for 2028. Transfermarkt understands that Atlanta United have paid $10m (€9.53m) for Almiron. The Paraguayan becomes the sixth most expensive signing in club history. That deal can grow by an additional $5m (€4.8m) if certain performance-based metrics are met. As part of the deal, Charlotte FC received $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for Almirón’s Discoverity Priorty rights. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Miguel back to Atlanta United and know we’re getting a top player and someone with excellent character,” Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson said in a club statement. “He’s a dynamic attacking player with proven success in our league as well as at the highest level in Europe in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Newcastle. We’re pleased to add someone with his talent, experience and competitiveness to our group as we continue to build the roster for 2025.” 

It will be Almirón’s second stint with the club. The 30-year-old was signed for €7.5m from Lanús in 2017 and managed 22 goals and 21 assists in 70 games across all competitions for the Five Stripes. During his time in Atlanta, Almirón saw his market value increase from €6.5m to €20m. Then in 2020, the Paraguayan became the biggest outbound transfer in MLS history when he was sold for a reported $27m (€24m at the time) to Newcastle United. That reported transfer fee remains the highest in MLS history (overview) but could soon be surpassed by Colombian forward Jhon Durán.  

Almirón back to Atlanta United – Why is he leaving Newcastle United now?

Now Almirón is back with the club with whom he won the MLS Cup in 2018. But why is the Paraguayan returning now? Although Almirón has managed 30 goals and 12 assists in 223 games across all competitions for Newcastle, his playing time has lately declined. This season, Almirón has managed just 412 minutes across 14 games in all competitions without scoring. In other words, there has been a noticeable decline production for the 30-year-old and with Atlanta United making significant investments ahead of the 2025 season, the door seemed open for a return to MLS. 

“After becoming a somewhat figure of ridicule in his early days at Newcastle, following the, at the time, club record fee of €24m the Magpies paid for him, Miguel Almirón became a cult hero at St James' Park,” Transfermarkt UK content manager Benjamin Littlemore said. “He really struggled in his first few campaigns, scoring just nine Premier League goals in three and a half seasons. However, in the 2022/23 season, the Paraguayan became a key figure as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League for the first time in two decades. He scored 11 Premier League goals that season, and his pace, trickery, and dribbling skills made him one of the league's most potent wingers. Since then, his age, injuries, and the arrival of other top wingers have meant his game-time has been limited, and now seems a good time for all parties to cut ties. 

Almiron is likely just the first domino to fall. Atlanta United have also been linked with Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath and Benfica’s Arthur Cabral. The transfer offensive comes off the back of the club, earning over €40m by selling Thiago Almada to Botafogo,  Caleb Wiley to Chelsea, and  Georgios Giakoumakis to Cruz Azul (overview).