TORONTO – Amidst an offseason defined by consistency throughout Toronto’s first-team roster, there still remains room for some change.

The club announced the signing of 12-year MLS veteran Jason Hernandez on Tuesday, further bolstering their backline for the 2017 season. The New York native had spent his entire career domestically, suiting up for the New York MetroStars, Chivas USA, San Jose Earthquakes, and New York City FC since his rookie season in 2005.

Making the move up north will be an adjustment for the 33-year-old defender, but some familiar faces in the dressing room have already helped to make Toronto feel like home.

“I was able to mentor those guys in their first couple of years in San Jose,” Hernandez said of teammates Steven Beitashour and Justin Morrow. “We had some pretty successful years in getting to the Conference Finals and winning the Supporters’ Shield [in 2012], so we’ve had a lot of success and a good chemistry.

“For me to speak to those guys—they’re a big part of what’s going on here—it’s a great opportunity and I’m lucky to be up here.”

Now firmly ingrained in the fabric of Toronto FC, Beitashour has evolved from talented young prospect to proven veteran commodity since his days learning his craft from Hernandez in San Jose. Teammates once more, Beitashour knows more than most just what the Puerto Rican international can bring to the table.

“I’m definitely excited that he’s here,” Beitashour told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “He was with me and Justin in our four years in San Jose. He was really one of the leaders on that team and a mentor to me and Justin; he took us under his wing and we learned a lot from him.

“He's a competitor, he's a winner; we're definitely lucky to have him."

Deploying a three-centerback formation has inherently necessitated a fair bit of cover in the defensive third, and head coach Greg Vanney was more than happy to bring Hernandez aboard to fill the void.

And while it may take a few weeks for Hernandez to get up to speed alongside his new teammates, Vanney knows just what kind of player his side has acquired.

“He’s been a winner in this league,” he said. “He loves to defend which we’ve seen that over the last few years in one-on-one situations, including against [Sebastian Giovinco]. I thought he did a very good job of managing some very tough players over the last couple of years.

“He knows how to win in this league and he’ll do a real job for us.”