Auro Jr.
Auro with Santos in 2022
Personal information
Full name Auro Alvaro da Cruz Júnior
Date of birth (1996-01-23) 23 January 1996
Place of birth Jaú, Brazil
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Ordabasy
Number 96
Youth career
2010–2016 São Paulo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2018 São Paulo 34 (0)
2016 → Linense (loan) 1 (0)
2017 → América Mineiro (loan) 11 (0)
2018 → Toronto FC (loan) 18 (0)
2019–2022 Toronto FC 66 (0)
2022 → Santos (loan) 11 (0)
2023– Ordabasy 20 (1)
International career
2013 Brazil U17 14 (0)
2015 Brazil U20 3 (0)
2014 Brazil U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 November 2023

Auro Alvaro da Cruz Júnior (born 23 January 1996), known as Auro Jr.[1] or just Auro, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Kazakhstan Premier League club Ordabasy.

Club career

São Paulo

Born in Jaú, São Paulo, Auro joined São Paulo FC's youth setup in 2010, aged 14.[2] He made his first team – and Série A – debut on 7 September 2014, coming on as a first-half substitute for injured Paulo Miranda in a 2–0 home win over Sport Recife.[3][4] He was handed his first start three days later, in a 4–2 success at Botafogo.[5]

On 23 September 2014, Auro renewed his contract with the Tricolor until 2019.[6] A regular starter under manager Muricy Ramalho, he lost his starting spot after the arrival of Bruno.[7]

Loan Linense

In February 2016, Auro signed on loan with Linense for the 2016 Campeonato Paulista.[8] In June, after featuring in only eight minutes for Linense, he was set to join Sport Recife on loan (including being introduced by the club as a new signing),[9] however, he was prevented from joining the club due to a Brazilian rule that prevents a player from representing three clubs during the same year, as he had already made appearances for Linense and São Paulo in 2016.[10] Instead, he returned to São Paulo, where he mainly featured with the under-20 squad,[11] winning two under-20 titles that season.[12]

Loan to América Mineiro

On 14 January 2017, Auro joined América Mineiro on loan,[12] making a total of 16 appearances between Primeira Liga, Campeonato Mineiro, and Copa do Brasil. He started off well with América, but suffered a knee injury, requiring him to miss time due to an operation.[13] He subsequently returned to São Paulo in 2018, after his loan spell had ended.[14]

Toronto FC

Auro Jr. playing for Toronto FC in 2020

On 13 February 2018, it was announced that Auro Jr. had been signed on loan by Major League Soccer club Toronto FC with an option to buy.[15] He made the decision to come to Toronto after speaking to his São Paulo teammate and former Toronto FC striker Gilberto, turning down opportunities to play in South America, Portugal and Spain (including with La Liga club CD Leganés) in favour of joining Toronto.[16][17] He made his club debut on 20 February 2018, in a 2–0 away win against the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of their round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League tie.[18] He recorded his first assist on May 18, on Ryan Telfer's game-winning goal against Orlando City SC.[19] In his debut season with the club, Auro made 28 appearances across all competitions, registering five assists.[20]

On 17 December 2018, Toronto opted to purchase Auro Jr. permanently from São Paulo.[20] In 2019, he was determined to be the best right-back in the league according to Opta advanced statistics.[21] He scored his first goal in a pre-season exhibition match on 1 April 2021, from a penalty kick, against Columbus Crew SC.[22] At the end of the 2021 MLS season, Toronto announced they were exercising their contract option on Auro, keeping him at the club through 2022.[23]

Loan to Santos

On 14 February 2022, Santos announced the signing of Auro on a one-year loan deal with an option to purchase.[24][25] He made his debut for the club on 8 March, replacing Vinicius Balieiro at half-time in a 1–1 Copa do Brasil away draw against Fluminense-PI, with his side advancing on penalties.[26][27] On 22 November 2022, Santos announced that Auro would leave the club at the end of his contract.[28] Toronto also declined his contract option for 2023, making him a free agent.[29]

Ordabasy

On 3 March 2023, Auro was announced at Kazakhstan Premier League club Ordabasy.[30]

International career

At international level, Auro has represented Brazil at U-17, U-20, and U-21 level.[1] He earned his first callup to play in the 2013 South American U-17 Championship, playing in all nine of his team's matches, en route to a third-place finish.[31] At the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, in the quarter-finals against Mexico, he scored his team's tenth penalty kick during the shootout which they lost 11–10, after the game ended 1–1 after extra time.[32] He was called up for the U-21 squad at the 2014 Toulon Tournament, where he was part of the championship winning team.[33] He was called up to the U-20 team for the 2015 South American U-20 Championship, playing in three matches.[34]

Style of play

A versatile defender, Auro is usually deployed as a right-back, but is capable of playing on either flank.[15] Regarding Auro Jr.'s playing style, Tim Bezbatchenko – Toronto FC's senior vice-president of soccer operations and general manager – said in 2018 that he is "...a very capable two-way player and an important part of our team. Auro Jr. is an attacking threat on the wing who also puts in solid defensive work."[35]

Career statistics

As of 29 April 2023[36][37]
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
São Paulo 2014 Série A 12000002[lower-alpha 1]0—140
2015 Série A 1006[lower-alpha 2]00000—160
2016 Série A 60—0000—60
Total 280600020—360
Linense (loan) 2016 Série D 001[lower-alpha 2]010——20
América Mineiro (loan) 2017 Série B 0011[lower-alpha 3]020—3[lower-alpha 4]0160
Toronto FC (loan) 2018 MLS 180—108[lower-alpha 5]01[lower-alpha 6]0280
Toronto FC 2019 MLS 230—102[lower-alpha 5]04[lower-alpha 7]0300
2020 MLS 18[lower-alpha 8]0—00—2[lower-alpha 9]0200
2021 MLS 250—204[lower-alpha 5]0—310
Total 840—40140701090
Santos (loan) 2022 Série A 803[lower-alpha 2]0103[lower-alpha 1]0—150
Ordabasy 2023 Kazakhstan Premier League 60—10——70
Career total 1260210901901001850
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  2. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in Primeira Liga (Brazil)
  5. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League
  6. ↑ Appearance in Campeones Cup
  7. ↑ Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  8. ↑ Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  9. ↑ One appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage, one appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs

Honours

Club

São Paulo
Toronto FC[36]

International

Brazil U-21

References

  1. 1 2 "Auro Jr". Toronto FC. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021.
  2. ↑ Nascimento, Pedro (30 April 2020). "Auro relembra sonho realizado pelo São Paulo e lamenta trocas de treinadores" [Auro recalls dream fulfilled by São Paulo and regrets changes in coaches]. Gazeta Esportiva (in Brazilian Portuguese).
  3. ↑ "Quarteto encanta, São Paulo envolve o Sport e diminui distância ao líder" [Quartet captivate, São Paulo wrap Sport and shorten distance to the leaders] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  4. ↑ ""Mais maduro", Auro reencontra adversário da estreia" ["More mature", Auro faces the opponent of his debut again] (in Brazilian Portuguese). São Paulo FC. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Jogão! Em duelo com duas viradas, São Paulo bate Botafogo em Brasília" [Great match! In a duel with two comebacks, São Paulo defeat Botafogo in Brasília] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "São Paulo anuncia renovação do contrato do lateral direito Auro" [São Paulo announce the renewal of the contract of right back Auro] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "Lateral direita volta a preocupar o São Paulo; Bruno interessa ao Fla" [Right back is a concern to São Paulo again; Bruno is targeted by Fla] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "Paulistão 2016: Lateral Direito Auro é Apresentando Oficialmente" [Paulistão 2016: Right Back Auro is Officially Introduced]. Clube Atlético Linense (in Portuguese). 29 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Sport oficializa a contratação do lateral direito Auro, emprestado pelo SP" [Sport turn official the signing of right back Auro, on loan from SP] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  10. ↑ "Sem poder defender o Sport, lateral Auro volta ao São Paulo" [Without being able to play for Sport, full-back Auro returns to São Paulo]. Lance! (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Após atuação goleadora, Auro exalta experiência no Sub-20 antes de decisão" [After goalscoring performance, Auro plays up experience in the under-20s before final] (in Brazilian Portuguese). São Paulo FC. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  12. 1 2 Grossi, Bruno (14 January 2017). "São Paulo acerta empréstimo de Auro para o América-MG por um ano" [São Paulo agree loan of Auro to América-MG for one year]. Lance! (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  13. ↑ Leite, Felipe (22 May 2019). "Emprestado três vezes pelo São Paulo, Auro entende opção do clube" [Loaned three times by São Paulo, Auro understands the club's option]. Gazeta Esportiva (in Portuguese).
  14. ↑ Buffery, Steve (March 12, 2020). "TFC right back Auro Jr. is often overlooked, but his play speaks volumes". Toronto Sun.
  15. 1 2 "Toronto FC sign defender Auro". Toronto FC. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  16. ↑ Larson, Kurt (19 February 2018). "'He only had good things to say': Ex-Toronto FC striker Gilberto convinced Auro to join Reds". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  17. ↑ Quillen, Ian (21 February 2018). "Before arriving at Toronto FC, Auro almost wound up going to La Liga". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  18. ↑ Grossi, James (24 February 2018). "Newcomer Auro earns rave reviews following standout debut in Colorado". Toronto FC. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  19. ↑ Grossi, James (May 24, 2021). "Brazilian Auro Jr. adjusting, thriving at Toronto FC". Toronto FC.
  20. 1 2 "Toronto FC exercise option to buy Auro Jr". Toronto FC. 17 December 2018. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  21. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (9 October 2019). "Opta MLS Best XI 2019: Do you agree with what the stats say?". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  22. ↑ Singh, Michael (2 April 2021). "Toronto FC are 2-0 to start preseason after win over Columbus Crew". Waking the Red.
  23. ↑ "Toronto FC Announce Year-End Roster Decisions". Toronto FC. December 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Lateral-direito Auro é o quarto reforço do Santos FC para 2022" [Right-back Auro is the fourth addition of Santos FC for 2022] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  25. ↑ "Toronto FC loan Auro to Santos FC". Toronto FC. February 14, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Auro estreia e Bustos fala sobre disputa pela lateral direita do Peixe" [Auro debuts and Bustos talks about dispute for the right-back of Peixe] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  27. ↑ Anjos, Vitor. "Auro comemora estreia, destaca garra do Santos FC em Teresina e projeta clássico contra o Palmeiras" [Auro celebrates debut, highlights Santos FC's strength in Teresina and projects classic against Palmeiras]. Santos FC (in Portuguese). Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  28. ↑ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  29. ↑ Khoury, Anthony (16 November 2022). "Toronto FC declines Auro Jr's 2023 contract option". Waking the Red.
  30. ↑ "Ex-Santos e São Paulo, lateral Auro é o novo reforço do Ordabasy, do Cazaquistão" [Formerly of Santos and São Paulo, full-back Auro is the new addition of Ordabasy, from Kazakhstan] (in Brazilian Portuguese). TNT Sports. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  31. ↑ "Auro's time has come". FIFA. 26 October 2013.
  32. ↑ Leach, Alex (3 November 2013). "Champions Mexico oust Brazil in U-17 World Cup". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  33. ↑ Nalton, James (3 June 2014). "The Future Brazil Stars Who Triumphed in Toulon 2014". The Botafogo Star.
  34. ↑ "Brazil squad announced for 2015 South American Youth Football Championship". Sambafoot. 7 January 2015.
  35. ↑ Armstrong, Laura (17 December 2018). "Toronto FC exercises its contract option on Auro". Toronto Star. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  36. 1 2 Auro Jr. at Soccerway
  37. ↑ "Auro » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
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