Former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has hailed Bruno Guimaraes for how the midfielder has embraced Tyneside and the Toon Army.
It's nearly a year to the day since Guimaraes swapped Lyon for Newcastle, with the 25-year-old becoming an integral part of Eddie Howe's Magpies. The Brazilian helped keep Newcastle in the Premier League comfortably last term and has been perhaps their best player this season, helping Howe and co to challenge for a Champions League place.
Alongside helping their European push, Guimaraes has also been instrumental in helping Newcastle to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, which represents a real shot at silverware for the Magpies this season.
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From day one, Guimaraes has engaged with Newcastle supporters and has built a strong bond with the Toon Army. There's no doubt the Brazilian is now held in the highest regard on Tyneside for his performances on the pitch for the Magpies.
And speaking prior to Newcastle's 1-0 win over Fulham at the weekend, which saw the Brazilian hobble off at half-time injured, Ameobi believes Guimaraes' effort to connect with Newcastle fans and the city are part of what makes him "a top class player."
"We know what a brilliant player he [Guimaraes] is but the fans can see a player who is fully invested [in the club]," said Ameobi when speaking to Sky Sports prior to the win over Fulham.
"When I played we had the likes of [Fabrizio] Coloccini and Jonas [Gutierrez] who fully embraced what Newcastle is about. I know he mentioned the weather, he’s joking there but the thing that is really interesting is that when he came he didn’t understand any English, he wanted to understand the language so that he can relate to the fans.
"His play on the pitch has been magnificent but the fact that he’s really fully embraced the area with his fiancee now and his little son, it’s great to see.
"When you have a top class player like that really understand what we’re trying to build and understand how much the chemistry between the players and fans goes into that, you have something special.
"I know he mentioned about being scared making the decision [to come to Newcastle] but as soon as he got here he’s understood how much the fans value him and not only how much he could bring to the team, but to the city, and where Bruno goes, we go.
"The level of performances that he’s produced has really elevated the players around him. Big shoutout to the likes of Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, all the players around him who have helped him settle.
"It’s been a real team chemistry that’s allowed him to blossom and I think ultimately when you have his class he elevates teams - look at the goals he’s scored, he knows that he could probably add a few more, and that’s probably the one thing that Eddie does. He develops players, not just Bruno, but with the rest of the team. It’s been a meteoric rise with him but it’s been a fantastic watch."
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