It is official! Miguel Almirón is coming back to Atlanta.
“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. “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.”
Almirón is a player that still holds a huge play in many 17’s hearts for what he did for Atlanta United. He signed to Atlanta in 2016 for $8 million, but little did we all know that we would see the beginning of a star.
After two seasons in MLS, he had 22 goals, 30 assists, MLS newcomer of the Year in 2017, two MLS best XIs and helped lead Atlanta United to its first trophy, an MLS Cup in 2018. After a historic season in MLS, the Paraguayan Di María joined Newcastle in 2019 for a club-record of £21 million, which was also the highest fee for an MLS player.
“In the league, there was before Miguel and now there's after Miguel,” Jeff Larentowicz said to MLS in 2022. “I don't think you could get a single GM in a room and say when you're thinking about signing a DP and want true impact, that they wouldn't say 'Yeah just like Almirón.'
I remember sitting in the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and watching Miguel play. My dad looked at me so many times in awe at what he could do on the pitch. We had no idea how blessed we were to watch the fusion between Josef Martinez and Alirón when they played for the Five Stripes. I will never forget watching him score his first goals with Atlanta United in the snow on the road against Minnesota United back in 2017.
While it was a sad day for fellow 17’s when Miguel Almrión left to join Newcastle, I was excited to follow the Paraguayan to his next stop in the Premier League. Almirón’s departure was actually the reason I started to follow the Premier League more. Getting to watch his development at Newcastle was exciting.
He played 219 games for the Magpies, scored 30 goals and had 12 assists. Even though there were a lot of ups and downs during his time in Newcastle, we watched as the fans began to rally behind him. Almirón will be leaving Newcastle as a fan favorite and he helped Newcastle grow in so many ways.
“What you're seeing now is the whole Newcastle fanbase, like the Atlanta fanbase, they're on Miggy's side because he's a player who pours his heart and soul onto the performance on the pitch,” former Atlanta United and Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales said in 2022 to MLS. “I think he's so smiley and lights up the stadium when he scores a goal, even more so now the fans are on his side because they know it wasn't easy in his first few seasons. Now they see Miggy really lighting it up. They feel that sense of pleasure for him as well because he's such a great lad."
"His commitment, attitude and professionalism is second to none. He is a truly brilliant person and a great professional,” said head coach Eddie Howe in August 2024. “ He's an important player for us and we don't underestimate his quality in any way."
JARRETT’S TAKE
Miguel Almiron’s potential return to Atlanta is how nostalgia moves should happen. After getting a heroes goodbye in the 2018 MLS Cup, he took a six year adventure in England and now could come back to the city where is a legend. It is always tempting to get the band back together in sports. We cling to past moments like a stone in a river. Sometimes we cling to players for far past their productive days, and other times we push away the chance at reunion out of fear that the past was a honeymoon phase. The trick is to understand what you are getting. Almiron is not 24 anymore, obviously. But he can still move from point A to point B at the speed of bad news, and everyone here knows what that left foot is capable of. 2025 Atlanta United does not need Miguel Almiron to be the 2018 version of himself. He just needs to be who he is now and contribute to what could be an outstanding attack.
SOFIA’S TAKE
Seeing Miguel Almiron play in Mercedes Benz once more is a dream come true! As a fan of the five stripes since the beginning, seeing someone who was the heartbeat of the team when he was here, return at such a vital time in the organization is going to be so fun to watch! I think this season, Atlanta United has a lot to prove. With Miguel back in the red and black, we are sure to make some noise in the standings this year. I was 13 years old when I watched him lift the MLS Cup from the stands, and I am more than excited to make my younger self proud by getting to witness his return to Atlanta from on the field. Having our number 10 come back is going to be a wild ride, but I am so excited for what is to come. Welcome back, Miggy!
JON’S TAKE
So, obviously, the #MiggyHop will always be a part of my Atlanta United DNA
(And Kevin Egan's call will always live as a part of that...)
You see the newspaper that I have kept ever since MLS Cup, But I think we had four in the house to start. I don't know where the other three went. To have him back as a Five Stripe is tremendous- aside from his energy and love for the club. I'm excited to see what the six years at Newcastle have done to him as an athlete and see how he is as a part of this club all over again...
The roar of a title always stays with me (as does Jarrett's rear-naked choke around my neck) and I still have Mike and Jason's call on video in a Google drive that I watch from time-to-time. You can always go home again, it seems...
I can't wait...
I am excited to see what is going to happen now that he is back with the Five Stripes, and what other Magical Miggy Moments he will bring!
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