Toronto FC signs defender Auro on loan from Sao Paulo

Toronto FC announced Tuesday the club has signed Brazilian full-back Auro on loan from Sao Paulo in a deal that also includes a purchase option, though the specific fee was not disclosed by the club.

The 22-year-old Brazil under-20 and under-17 international had spent the last two years on a series of loans to Linense and America Mineiro, and officially joins Toronto FC on loan having spent time training with the Reds during their pre-season preparations.

Following the announcement, Auro was immediately listed to start in Toronto FC's friendly tilt against Cruz Azul, figuring on the right-hand side of a 4-4-2 diamond. Head coach Greg Vanney sees Auro as one option on that side, though likely behind fellow new signing Gregory van der Wiel.

His inclusion also allows Vanney to move other roster pieces around and seemingly move away from his tried-and-true 3-5-2 to a four-man backline, as previously seen in the 2017 MLS Cup Final.

"Auro is a right-sided player - he can play as a right full-back, he can play as a right winger," Vanney told Sportsnet's John Molinaro. "(But) he also gives us the ability to push Nico Hasler - who is more naturally a midfielder, a central midfielder - back into his natural position.

"Last year when we got Nico, we thought he was going to be a defensive midfielder, but we didn’t really have backup for (Steven) Beitashour, and we were using Nico in that spot because he had played there before. But he grew up as a midfielder and felt most comfortable in that position."