The teenager arrived to much fanfare when his deadline day loan from Liga MX side Santos Laguna was confirmed back in August due to him having a similar name to fictional Magpies player ‘Santiago Munez’ from the 2005 feature film Goal!
But the 19-year-old was left frustrated during the opening months of his time on Tyneside. The stark change in environment from Mexico, paired with a niggling hamstring injury, limited Munoz to training apart from the Under-23s squad.
“I had a little problem with my hamstring,” Munoz told The Gazette. “Also I needed to get used to all of the conditions.
“I had a problem and I needed to work on it. I am feeling good now, although I still need to get fitter, I feel that.
“Like I say I am training hard and working.”
Munoz had to wait over five months to make his second-string debut. He came off the bench in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town Under-23s back in February before following it up with starts against Norwich City and Birmingham City as well as a substitute appearance at Fulham.
“It was very good to see the team complete the comeback,” Munoz added. “All the boys have a good relationship and I am happy for them all.
“When I arrived here I wanted to get on with my goals and aims. I am on loan so I am working to get opportunities and make sure everybody knows where I came from.”
Munoz’s loan at Newcastle is until the end of the 2022-23 season and there is an option for Newcastle to make the deal permanent should the youngster impress.
While he has taken a bit of time to adapt to his new surroundings, Munoz now feels ready to kick-on and make a name for himself on Tyneside.
