'I want': Bruno Guimaraes confirms big Newcastle United decision after exit & £100m release clause

A space opened up in the group following Matt Ritchie’s move to Portsmouth. And Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier have voted in Guimaraes.

The Brazilain captained the Magpies in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos in Tokyo.

“A big challenge for me,” Guimaraes told NewcastleWorld. “My first language is not English so expressing myself is always a little bit more difficult. Today I think I’m doing very, very well but as a leader it is not who wears the armband.

“Last season I missed just one game so there are many, many ways to be a leader. I want to help the club, I want to help this guy here as much as possible. I’m really excited to become a leader.

“At 19 I was captain at Athletico Paranaense. I’ve been captain at Brazil U20s and Lyon as well so why not here? I’m ready and can’t wait to start this season.”

Guimaraes’ inclusion further underlines his commitment to the club. The 26-year-old is set to remain at St James’ Park after his £100million release clause expired the end of June.

“I’m always here, I’ve never said I would like to leave,” he said. “Since I signed for the club I have always said I want to put my name in the club’s history and nothing’s changed.

“I still want to win some trophies. When I signed for the club I said I want to play Champions League and everyone said I was crazy! Now I want to be Champions League again, I want to win something for the club as I think the fans deserve it.”

He added: “It’s not about me. I do not get involved - it is all with my agent. I don’t know anything about it, my focus since signing from the club has always been Newcastle. And when I’m here, it going to be Newcastle.

“I’m very happy. The squad is giving me a big responsibility in the leadership group so I want to be a leader, I want to help the club in many ways and I want to help this guy [Eddie Howe], he has developed my game a lot.

“I’m ready for him, his staff and the players. It is time for me to deliver something special for them.”