Bruno Guimarães bids emotional farewell to Newcastle United

Bruno Guimarães has bid an emotional farewell to Newcastle United after completing a transfer away from the club. In a statement released on social media, the Brazilian midfielder described the decision as "one of the toughest decisions of my life" and expressed deep gratitude for his time at St James' Park.

Guimarães joined Newcastle in January 2022 when the club was fighting relegation. He quickly became a fan favorite and a key figure in the team's transformation under manager Eddie Howe. During his tenure, Newcastle secured a top-four Premier League finish and returned to the Champions League for the first time in two decades.

A heartfelt goodbye

In his farewell message, Guimarães reflected on his journey: "When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together. I fell in love with this place. I really mean that. From my first day, the supporters, my teammates, Eddie and the staff, and everyone connected with the club made me and my family feel at home."

The 26-year-old also thanked the club's ownership and leadership, including the Public Investment Fund (PIF), chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Jamie Reuben. He acknowledged the efforts of David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson, who he said "did everything they could to keep me at Newcastle," and expressed gratitude for their respect throughout the process.

New challenge ahead

Guimarães explained his decision to leave, stating: "This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me, but I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family." He also revealed a positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, the head coach of his new club, saying, "I leave knowing the club is in very good hands."

To the Newcastle supporters, Guimarães wrote: "Thank you will never be enough, but I say it with all my heart. I will always be proud to have been part of this club's journey. Thank you for everything."

Guimarães' departure marks the end of an era for Newcastle, where he made over 100 appearances and scored crucial goals. His leadership and skill on the pitch were instrumental in the club's resurgence, and he leaves with the best wishes of fans and teammates alike.