Newcastle United have broken their transfer record for the first time since 2006 to sign midfielder Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United.

After a protracted chase, the Magpies announced the deal on transfer deadline day as Almiron penned a five-and-a-half year deal on Tyneside.

According to Sky Sports, the deal is worth £21m (A$37m) surpassing the £16.5m they paid for Michael Owen over a decade ago.

“We were following Miguel Almirón for a while, and we saw a player with some pace in attack, who can play behind the striker. We have someone who can score goals and give assists,” said manager Rafa Benitez.

“We know that MLS is a different challenge to the Premier League but he has the potential to do what we are expecting, and what we need.

“From talking to the lad, you can tell that he is really focussed and wants to do well. He wants to be successful and he wants to help the team, to score goals and give assists if it is possible.

“His impact in MLS has been really good - he’s been one of the best players this year - and hopefully he can give us more competition and more quality in the final third.

“I am pleased that the hard work behind the scenes has ended positively and I thank everyone for their efforts.”​

Paraguay international Almiron will wear number 24 for Newcastle, he scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists to help Atlanta win the 2018 MLS Cup.