Crew SC secure Argentine defender Gaston Sauro

Crew SC officially announced the transfer of Argentine central defender Gaston Sauro from FC Basel today. Sauro, 25, has played for Argentine giants Boca Juniors, Swiss champions FC Basel, and Italian club Catania before joining Crew SC on a reported two and a half year deal.

Sauro has made over 100 appearances in his seven year career that has included appearances in the Champions League, Europa League, Copa Libertadores, and Serie B while scoring four goals.

Crew SC's defense has been poor during the 2015 season, giving up a MLS second-worst 38 goals and tied for a league worst four clean sheets. Sauro is expected to come in and compete for a starting spot after Emanuel Pogatetz has been relegated to the bench in place of journeyman Tyson Wahl.

Adam Jardy reports that Crew SC used targeted allocation money to sign Sauro. Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The signing is the third of the transfer window. Crew SC added right back Harrison Afful on a free transfer, traded for young forward Jack McInerney. Additionally, January signing Cedrick Mabwati's loan with Osasuna ended and he joined the team in July.