Bruno Guimaraes admits joining Newcastle United is the 'best decision' of his life - but it wasn't all plain sailing as he made the switch from Lyon.
The Brazilian international has enjoyed a whirlwind six months, leaving behind the comfort of Ligue 1 for a venture into the Premier League with one of the richest clubs in the world.
Since making the January move, Guimaraes has found adoration from the St. James' Park faithful, some of whom were chanting his name before he had even kicked a ball on Tyneside. However, in the days leading up to his move, the midfielder admitted he was having sleepless nights.
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“It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, I think I went about four days without sleep. I’m not going to lie, I was afraid, yes,” Guimaraes told Globo Esporte.
“Even more so because the club was in the relegation zone. But after I got there and did my first workout, confidence went up again. After I started playing, everything started to work out, we ended up in 11th, a team that was second to last.
"The best decision of my life was to go to Newcastle, to the Premier League, I believe it may have been a differential in my call-ups too."
Guimaraes is with his Brazil team-mates as they prepare to take on South Korea, Japan and Argentina in the coming days. The 24-year-old is fighting fit but admits it has been an intense few months.
“As much as I played in Ligue 1, when I went to the Premier League I felt the intensity in the first three games a lot," he added. "It’s very different, the hardest league in the world, it’s very difficult to play, but it’s the league I always wanted to be in, I think every player could play at least a year in the Premier League to see that it’s different.”
