Toronto FC’s newest signing Maicon Santos is happy to be reunited with his former coach Preki. The 26-year-old was given his chance in Major League Soccer when he was signed by Preki for Chivas USA last year, and the two will now work together again following Maicon’s arrival at BMO Field.

[inline_node:4176]“I feel very good to be moving here,” said Maicon. “Everything is going to be new for me here, but I will do my best and work very hard for the team.”

“Preki being here played a part in my decision to come to Toronto. We know each other and he knows the type of player that I am and what I can do. He knows that I like to work hard and I like the style of his training sessions.”

“It is good to have the same hard working mentality as the coach. If everyone keeps working hard it is better for the team, and that is the approach Preki has to training and playing so that suits me. I can feel it is going to be great here.”

Maicon’s football career started in Brazil in 2004 and he also played for clubs in Tunisia, Libya and Israel. “I think my style of play suits the game here in MLS,” he explains. “They play strong and I like it that way. I like to drive forward with the ball and get possession around the edge of the 18 yard box. I feel good fitting in to playing the way the game is here.”

Maicon’s debut for Chivas was against Toronto FC in August last year and he assisted on one of the Chivas goals in a 2-0 win, but he has never played at BMO Field. “It will be new for me playing here at this stadium, but I am looking forward to the experience of playing here in front of the fans.”