GOAL! Who is Newcastle United new boy Santiago Munoz?

Film often portrays real life, but what happens when a film script becomes reality? Well Santiago Munoz may be just about to show us how having put pen to paper at Newcastle United.
Santiago Munoz of Santos gestures during the 17th round match between Santos Laguna and Puebla as part of the Torneo Guardanes 2021 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Torreon, Mexico.Santiago Munoz of Santos gestures during the 17th round match between Santos Laguna and Puebla as part of the Torneo Guardanes 2021 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Torreon, Mexico.
Santiago Munoz of Santos gestures during the 17th round match between Santos Laguna and Puebla as part of the Torneo Guardanes 2021 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Torreon, Mexico.

Who is Santiago Munoz?

It was, of course, Santiago Munez who was the main character in Newcastle United based film Goal! Munez was plucked from obscurity to sign for United in the 2005 film. In the three-part series he then went to Real Madrid.

In real life, striker Munoz has signed from Santos Laguna, who play in the Mexican top flight, in what has proven to be Newcastle United’s only business of the final day of the summer window.

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The 19-year-old striker joins the Magpies on an 18-month loan deal, with the option to buy at the end of it.

Confirming the news, a club statement read: “Newcastle United can confirm that Mexico under-23 international Santiago Muñóz has joined the club’s Academy set-up on an initial 18-month loan deal.

“The 19-year-old, who was born in the United States, arrives from Mexican top-flight side Santos Laguna, where he made his debut last year and has scored three goals and claimed three assists in 13 league games.

“At international level, he helped Mexico win the 2019 CONCACAF Under-17 Championships, scoring five goals - including the overall goal of the tournament - and was part of the squad which finished as runners-up at the 2019 Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.

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“And he was involved as the under-23s won the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship earlier this year.

“​The deal includes an option to make Muñoz’s move to Tyneside a permanent one.”

Has he been signed as a first-team player?

It is expected Munoz will first operate in the club’s under-23 setup, in a similar fashion to last season’s Latin American signing, Rodrigo Vilca.

Munoz has been playing first-team football recently, though. He scored three goals last season for Santos Laguna in 14 appearances.

What type of player is he?

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Munoz is an out-and-out striker who has a quick turn-of-pace and a knack of finding himself in the right position at the right time in the area.

Standing at just 1.7m tall, Munoz appears to be a very technical player whose strengths include dribbling and finishing.

What has been said about Munoz?

Munoz has been linked with Newcastle for some time now and his head coach, Guillermo Almada admitted in July that: “Santi is focused on his goal, which is to go to Europe.”

Interesting fact...

The President of Santos Laguna, where Munoz has arrived from, is Alejandro Irarragorri, a Mexican businessman who has been linked with buying Newcastle United in the past.