Get all the very latest news in Ireland straight to your email every single day Sign up! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Miguel Almiron has gone from kicking stones around the street as a six-year-old, to Newcastle ’s record signing.

Almiron’s parents bought his first football to stop him using rocks to play in his hometown of Asuncion, Paraguay’s capital city.

That began a journey which led to a professional career starting at 14 and now to his first training session as a Tyneside record-breaker on Wednesday, after gaining his work permit.

Newcastle’s club record £21million signing from Major League Soccer champions Atlanta United has been backed by manager Rafa Benitez to overcome pressure, expectation, his diminutive size and a strange new environment to be the latest big-money import to Europe from MLS.

Benitez, who will give his new boy a debut away to Wolves on Monday night, said: “We need Almiron right now, but we have not signed him just for this month.

(Image: Newcastle United)

“He has the desire, ambition and conditions to do well. He can play in different positions – as a number ten or a winger. He has pace and stamina, has ability, he can score goals and is a worker. He will give us something different. He is not physically strong but that doesn’t mean they cannot perform or give us something we need.”

Newcastle scouted the 24-year-old in MLS, believing there are a growing number of talented youngsters building their careers in the North American league previously famous for signing the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their 30s.

MLS sides are taking punts on signing kids from South America and giving them a stage to showcase their talent, before making their way to top clubs in Europe.

(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)

Local talent is also thriving.

Vancouver’s Canadian teenager Alphonso Davies was signed by Bayern Munich last month for a then-record transfer fee that could reach £18m.

Columbus goalkeeper Zack Steffen will join Manchester City in July in a deal that could net the Crew £7m.

Former New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams has made his first start with German club RB Leipzig after a deal done in December.

Premier League clubs have also benefited from MLS imports in the past.

(Image: USA TODAY Sports)

Landon Donovan had loan spells from LA Galaxy at Everton , Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride were Fulham team-mates before the former moved on to Tottenham , Jozy Altidore quit New York Red Bulls for Spain and then a career at Hull and Sunderland.

DeAndre Yedlin, Almiron’s new team-mate, joined Spurs from Seattle three years ago and is Newcastle’s No1 right-back after a spell at arch-rivals Sunderland.

Almiron played 70 times for Atlanta over the past two seasons, scoring 22 goals and contributing 30 assists.

South American football expert Tim Vickery said of his arrival in the North East: “I’m fascinated by this move, because there is so much riding on it — it’s much bigger than even Newcastle or even Paraguay.

“If this one comes off we are seeing a shift in global architecture of the game.

(Image: Reuters)

“He took a huge risk in going to America. He’d just been the decisive player with Lanus in Argentina when they won the title. That’s a huge achievement in itself — Lanus is a glorified neighbourhood club. They’re nowhere near the size of a Boca Juniors or a River Plate — and for him to be the major player in that was a massive achievement.

“Where does he go? MLS. He’s launched Atlanta United – they went with a South American model. This move surely has made Europe aware that MLS is much more than a retirement home for old players.”

Benitez is hoping his Spanish touch can bring out the best in his new recruit.

He added: “The good thing with Almiron for me is that he talks in Spanish. The communication is fine. He will need less time to adapt.”