After announcing on Thursday that they had purchased the great midfielder from Newcastle United of the English Premier League, Atlanta United has brought back club legend Miguel Almirón. Almirón, who led Atlanta to the 2018 MLS Cup championship before paying an MLS-record outbound transfer fee to join Newcastle, has agreed to a three-year guaranteed contract until 2027 with a 2028 option. The 30-year-old Paraguayan international, who arrived for an estimated $10 million transfer fee with add-ons, will occupy international roster spots and designated player slots. In exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), Atlanta purchased Almirón’s Discovery Priority from Charlotte FC to finalize the transaction. After a six-year tenure at Newcastle, where he recorded 30g/12a in 223 games across all competitions, Almirón is returning to Atlanta. In 2022-2023, he had his greatest Premier League season, scoring 11 goals and winning Player of the Month for October.

While playing in Europe, Almirón elevated his status on the national team and established himself as Paraguay’s preferred starter. He has played a key role in their previous three FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and made an appearance at Copa América 2024 in the United States. He has 8g/5a goals in 64 caps. “I’m very happy to return to Atlanta United, a club and a city that has always held a special place in my heart,” Almirón stated. “I’m grateful to Arthur M. Blank and the entire organization for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to reuniting with the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and creating more moments of joy together.” After two incredible seasons from 2017–18, in which he scored 22g/30a in 70 games across all competitions, Almirón starts his second tenure in Atlanta.

Almirón won the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year award, was nominated for the 2018 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, and received two MLS Best XI selections from Continental while establishing a legendary offensive connection with now-San Jose Earthquakes striker José Martínez. The Five Stripes made history at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by winning the MLS Cup 2018 in their second season. Almirón supports an Atlanta offensive that also has winger Saba Lobjanidze and fellow DP midfielder Alexey Miranchuk. According to reports, they are also looking for a DP striker. The Five Stripes begin their 2025 campaign on February 22 at home against CF Montréal (7:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass) under new head coach Ronny Deila.

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