Newcastle United players and staff quickly realised that Bruno Guimaraes was a gifted footballer following the Brazil international's mid-season move from Lyon. However, what struck the dressing room the most was how Bruno transformed from a friendly team-mate off the field to one who would do anything to even win a training game.
You can't put a price on that mentality. It was why Bruno was prepared to gamble and sprint 82 yards at the death on Sunday in the hope of getting on the end of Joe Willock's cross. That decision ended up winning Newcastle the game against Leicester City.
It was another man of the match display from Bruno and the midfielder led the way for goals (two), shots on target (four), touches in the opposition box (five), dribbles (seven), pressures (30) and distance covered (11.6km) in the Magpies' 2-1 win.
READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers 'pretty sure' on Newcastle summer transfer plans as Leicester boss shows class
The goals naturally grabbed the headlines, but Bruno's work off the ball, on a hot day where Leicester had 69% of possession, was also invaluable. Bruno may have been fatigued, and received treatment for a back issue at half-time, but you can see why there was never any danger of Eddie Howe substituting the 24-year-old at St James' Park.
Bruno, like his team-mates, wanted to keep going and that never-say-die mentality has seen Newcastle claim more points (10) from losing positions than any other side in the Premier League since February.
"I think it is infectious," Howe told reporters after the game. "Whatever attitude you have can inspire. Unfortunately, it works in the reverse as well so if you don't have a positive changing room, that can be infectious, but Bruno is someone that does have that natural optimism.
"He's desperate to achieve. He's not here for anything other than trying to elevate the team to win things. Full credit to him for coming into a relegation battle because that's not something that should be overlooked. When he joined and all the other players joined in January, the team was in a very difficult position but everyone was willing to take on the fight.
"Kieran [Trippier] left a Champions League team to a team fighting relegation. That says a lot about the pull of Newcastle but, also, the characters of the individuals concerned."
You can see why Howe was so keen to sign characters like Bruno and Trippier, who wanted to buy into the team-first mentality at the club as so many others have. Indeed, it was striking how it was Federico Fernandez who celebrated Bruno's winner most wildly off the bench as the veteran jumped on the back of club captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Injuries have played a part but Fernandez has not featured since Newcastle's first win of the campaign, against Burnley way back in December, yet the Argentine, like the lesser-spotted Lascelles, remains a positive influence behind the scenes. That is the culture Howe and his staff have helped to create at the club and they are desperate not to disturb it in the summer.
While Howe's immediate focus is on finishing the season strongly, targets have been identified by the club's recruitment team and you can bet some of these individuals will have been watching on from afar on Sunday after Bruno effectively helped sell the dream. The chance to play in front of those supporters was already a huge attraction - just look at how Bruno has been received - along with the club's long-term project. But Newcastle being as good as safe makes that prospect even more appealing.
It won't necessarily be a given for Newcastle to build on such a productive mid-season window, particularly with UEFA's new financial sustainability regulations, but it will be easier for Howe's side to attract players in the coming months. Not only will clubs be slightly more open to doing business, as there will be more time to line up replacements, but Newcastle are in a much better position.
A late push for the top 10 cannot be ruled out just yet given how the Magpies are only three points off ninth place. In contrast, when the January window opened on New Year's Day, Newcastle were two points adrift of safety despite playing three games more than 17th-placed Watford. Indeed, before Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett even arrived, the Magpies were in 19th place midway through the window.
The long-term goal was obvious - Bruno was convinced by the owners' vision to 'be a big power in world football' and win the Champions League one day - but there were no guarantees that Newcastle would even be playing in the Premier League next season. For all the riches on offer, only a certain type of character would have been prepared to take that gamble. Bruno did.
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
