Bruno Guimaraes has declared he is relishing life as a Newcastle United player. Toon chiefs forked out £35million to sign the Brazilian from Lyon in January - the biggest fee spent by the new regime to date.
The Magpies staved off interest from Arsenal to sign the highly-coveted midfielder. In just 17 appearances, Guimaraes has endeared himself to the Toon Army to become the latest cult hero on Tyneside.
Not since Yohan Cabaye have Newcastle fielded a playmaker as silky in midfield. His partnership with Joelinton has inspired a sea of Brazilian flags to be emblazoned around St James’ Park.
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Speaking to NUFC TV, the 24-year-old admitted he is fulfilling his ambitions in a black-and-white shirt. Playing in England is a goal Guimaraes - who has eight caps for Brazil - always set out to achieve.
"At Newcastle, I am living my dreams too,” he said. “To play in the Premier League, it was always my dream and here it is so special. The fans are great with me, and all the players as well. I'm happy.
"I know the expectations of the fans for this season - we are working so hard. We will do our best because the club needs this and the fans need a team like this.
“We are here to do our best and in the season, we can speak again and I hope we can speak about these things that we spoke (about) coming true. I hope for this."
Guimaraes also has the World Cup in Qatar firmly in his sights. As a Brazilian, his nation is expected to win the tournament in five months’ time - or at least come close.
Brazil are favourites to lift a sixth World Cup with most bookmakers. Guimaraes, a shoo-in for the squad if he continues his exceptional form, wants to add to the Olympic gold medal he won last summer.
"We have only two more games, friendly games, and after it is the World Cup,” he added. “In the last few years, I won the Olympic Games (in 2020) and, if I can win the World Cup, it will be really great and special for me. When I am sleeping, I am thinking about it. It is a big goal in my career.”
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