Toronto FC GM lauds newcomer Thiago Andrade's versatility
"Whether it's out wide or playing [in] a front two... he will create a different wrinkle and a different dynamic," Jason Hernandez said.
Not only did Toronto FC escape Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft without losing anybody, it managed to bolster its attack via a low risk trade.
San Diego FC, who’ll join Major League Soccer as its 30th team in 2025, used its fourth selection in the Expansion Draft to select Brazilian winger Thiago Andrade from New York City FC.
San Diego then flipped Andrade to Toronto in a trade that saw the Reds give up their first-round pick (ninth overall) in next week's MLS SuperDraft and an additional $250,000 US in conditional general allocation money (GAM) in future years if certain performance-based metrics are met. San Diego also retains a percentage of a future transfer fee if Toronto sells Andrade to a non-MLS club.
For GM Jason Hernandez, the addition of the 24-year-old Andrade is a “low risk maneuver” that he believes could give his team an attacking boost next season.
