Atlanta United coach talks about return of Miguel Almiron and his time at Newcastle United | OneFootball

Miguel Almiron moved from Newcastle United to Atlanta United on 30 January 2025.

Almost exactly six years to the day (31 January 2019) when he moved in the opposite direction.

Only three weeks earlier, former Scotland international Kenny Miller had joined Atlanta United, as first team coach under former Celtic manager Ronny Deila.

Some great business by Newcastle United in that last transfer window because as well as squad player Miguel Almiron leaving, Lloyd Kelly also moved out to Juventus.

With the two transfers set to earn United around £30m in total and especially in PSR terms, great business.

The move back to the USA also looked set to be a great decision for both Miguel Almiron and Atlanta United.

However, this is how the MLS Eastern Conference table now looks on 2 July 2025:

As you can see, only Montreal are keeping Miggy and his teammates off the very bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.

In his first spell at Atlanta United, Miguel Almiron was a machine when it came to direct goal involvements. Starting 65 MLS matches he had 41 direct goal involvements, scoring 22 and getting 19 assists.

However, in his 17 MLS matches for Atlanta United this season, Miggy only managing to score three goals so far and one assist.

Obviously the blame can’t be only attached to the former Newcastle United player but certainly Miggy hasn’t been able to have anything like the kind of impact he did first time around at Atlanta United.

Hopefully Miggy and Atlanta can turn it around but I think fair to say as well, that Newcastle United eventually banking £11m from this Miguel Almiron (now aged 31) return to Atlanta United, is looking a cracking deal for NUFC.

Atlanta United first team coach Kenny Miller talking to Canada Crypto Casino about Miguel Almiron:

“Has Miguel Almiron, back at Atlanta after time with Newcastle United, ever shared his thoughts and experiences of playing for the Magpies?

“I’ve not sat down and probed him about his time at Newcastle, but you could easily see during his time there that he had a connection with the fans. I think it was his last game for the club, when he might not have even played, and Newcastle won and celebrated in front of the fans. And they pushed Miggy to the front of the group because I think they knew it would be a farewell opportunity, of sorts. It was a send-off, because he was coming back to Atlanta. And you could clearly see the connection between player and fans.

“Not only was he connected to the fans there, but for the other players to want to put him front and centre and give him that kind of send-off, shows how loved he was in the changing room. It’s an experience I’m sure he’ll remember for the rest of his life, six years at Newcastle, playing at the highest level and being a very important player for that club over that time period.

“He’s a very infectious player.

“He comes to work every day with a smile on his face.

“He plays with such a really good energy.

“And now, we’ve got him back at Atlanta. From his time as a Premier League player, we want him here and driving the team to those sort of standards. Helping the young players with his experience.

“And he’s not old – he’s only 31 – but he has so much experience at a high level now and he can be an important player for us, not to mention a role model, especially as he was here when the team won the MLS Cup in their second season of existence.”