Miggy puts Atletico rumour to bed as he praises Toon fans and eyes next season

‘GREAT MOVE FOR ME’

MIGUEL Almiron insists he is happy at Newcastle United – despite recent links with Atletico Madrid.

Almiron is believed to have a buyout clause in his United contract which was agreed as part of his £21m move from Atlanta United in January 2019.

However, after a season in which the Paraguay international finds himself top scorer following a long wait for his first goal for the club, Almiron has told Sky Sports he is enjoying life on Tyneside.

He said: “It has been a great move for me.

“I think as a player, you’re always looking for challenges and after a good period in the MLS, you’re looking for another challenge.

“I think as players in South America, we’re always working hard to get to that ultimate dream of playing in Europe, and the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world.

“My hard work paid off and it worked out for me to come to Newcastle. I didn’t hesitate and, from minute one since I arrived here, I’ve been lucky in the sense that the fans have been right behind me – I’ve enjoyed their support and their affection.”

Almiron was welcomed with open arms by the Geordie public, with a huge banner unfurled on his home debut last year.

Almiron said: “I was aware that I was coming to a big club with a lot of history and with a very passionate fanbase, a big, locallybased fanbase as well.

“I knew these fans were the type that always go to the games come rain or shine to really support the team and get behind the side.

“So it’s something I’ve been

happy with and it’s been great for me since I got here, it’s something I’ve enjoyed and it’s come to fruition again that these fans have been how they were described for me. I felt like it’s been the right move ever since it happened.”

Newcastle take on Brighton tomorrow night, with Almiron eager to add to his goals tally.

He said: “Steve Bruce wants us to finish well because, in a way, that is the best way to prepare for the start of next season, going into preseason with a pretty quick turnaround where we hope to get a good start next time around.

“All in all, it has been a decent season. We’re mid-table, obviously, we always want to be higher than we currently are if that’s possible and maybe go even further in one of the two cups we were involved in, but I think this squad has done very well.

“We started OK but I think we want to have a good pre-season, start even brighter next season if we can and take the positives into the next season.”

Looking ahead to the game, Almiron said: “It’s not going to be an easy game.

“Brighton will be looking to take three points and finish as high up the table as they can, ourselves too.

“We’re wanting to get as many points as we can in these last two games to attain the best position in the league that we can.

“They’re a good side, they’ve got some quality players in their squad, but we’re going to go out with the same attitude we always have and that is to go out for the win, for the three points.

“We always try to improve as individual players and as a unit and we’ll be going all out to try and get this victory on Monday.”

The game will be on Sky Sports and the Freeview Pick channel, with the show starting at 5.30pm.

I knew these fans were the type that always go to the games come rain or

shine

Miguel Almiron