Bruno Guimaraes has revealed that his family are 'really happy' to see him realise his dream at Newcastle United after all the 'difficult' times they went through together.
Guimaraes' parents, Dick and Marcia, and his girlfriend, Ana Lidia, were among those who accompanied the midfielder on his flight to Tyneside last week following his big-money move from Lyon.
Playing in the Premier League was something Guimaraes could only have fantasised about when the only child left home at the age of 15 to go and play for Audax.
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Guimaraes, who has both his mother and father's names tattooed on his skin, only saw his parents just twice a month back then but that sacrifice certainly paid off.
Following spells at Audax, Athletico Paranaense and Lyon, Guimaraes' parents watched their son set foot in St James' Park for the first time last week.
"Everyone was with me: my parents, my girlfriend, my press officer, my agent," he told reporters at his unveiling. "We were all here and we were really happy to come to Newcastle.
"We went through some difficult, delicate times when we didn't know if it was all going to work out, if it was going to come through, but it did.
"We're all really happy to be here and that it's become a reality."
Guimaraes looks set to make his Newcastle debut against Everton on Tuesday night as the Magpies bid to move out of the relegation zone for the first time in months.
Newcastle currently lie just a point from safety and although it would have been easier for Guimaraes to stay put at Lyon, and reassess his options in the summer, the 24-year-old was desperate to help Eddie Howe's side get out of trouble.
‘I am driven by challenges - that’s what I want," he added. "It's always been my dream to play in the Premier League and I've never hidden that.
"The people here at Newcastle really wanted me here, which is so good to hear.
"When you join a project right at the beginning, it gives you more morale and respect from the fans. The fans are so happy for me to be here - that was the determining factor in my decision."
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