TORONTO -- Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen says newly acquired midfielder Michael Thomas brings versatility to his MLS club. A motivated Thomas says you can add work ethic to that list. "Im happy to be somewhere where I think Ill get a lot of opportunities and chances to prove myself," a sweat-drenched Thomas said after his first practice with Toronto on Thursday. "It wasnt happening in Kansas City at the time so Im happy to be at a place where were starting to turn things around." The 25-year-old Thomas signed with his hometown club in January 2012 but only appeared in seven MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City. Toronto gave up a second-round pick in the 2015 draft to get him. "The past year and a half has been a little bit frustrating," he acknowledged. "Not playing as much as I would like to. To come somewhere where you know youre wanted really brings a lot of confidence back. I cant wait to get out there and really prove myself." The five-foot-10, 170 pounder describes himself as a centre midfielder, although he has also played centre back. "I consider myself a workhorse in the middle, a two-way midfielder. I can contribute offensively, score goals, get assists, but love to work hard and get back defensively as well. Ive always been complimented about my work ethic and thats what Im going to bring to the table every day. I work my tail off." Thomas was drafted 19th overall by San Jose in the 2010 SuperDraft but elected to follow his dream and sign overseas with Swedish first division team Halmstads BK before moving to fellow Swedish side Ljungskile SK some six months later. "It was a risk but I was willing to take it," he said. "It was a great experience, great country," he said of his two years in Sweden. "The calibre of play is very good too. Its more of an aggressive league and direct, but to be able to get over there, play some games and get some experience at a young age was something that was very good for me." Ready for a new challenge, he relished a chance to sign with a Sporting Kansas City team on the rise. He grew up in Olathe, some 20 minutes outside Kansas City. The move also reunited him with former Fighting Irish and local club teammate Matt Besler. "At the time it was a dream come true," he said. He leaves "with all the respect in the world" for Sporting Kansas City, he said. The team seems to share that opinion of him. "Michael has an incredible attitude and work ethic while he was here," KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. "The decision was of mutual consent. Toronto is a team that was very interested in him and we wish him all the best with the opportunity." Thomas came to Torontos attention via Notre Dame coach Bobby Clark, who knows Torontos coaching staff and has used TFCs training ground. Thomas scored 19 goals and added 13 assists in 81 starts at Notre Dame. He went to South Bend after helping his high school team to three state titles. Thomas, whose salary is listed at US$60,713 this season, will wear No. 18 at TFC. He wore No. 8 at high school and college and was No. 1 at his local club team growing up. He combined that to be No 18 professionally although he took 88 (the year he was born) in Kansas City because No. 18 was already taken. NOTES -- The days of midfielder Terry Dunfield are indeed over at Toronto. The club has replaced a large photo of the Canadian international, who was cut in mid-June, at its training centre with one of Argentine midfielder Matias Laba. Air Max Deluxe Canada . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Air Max 1 Sale Canada . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. http://www.clearanceairmaxcanada.com/air-max-270-bowfin-canada-sale.html . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Air Max 200 Canada . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Nike Air Max 360 Canada . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. ASHBURN, Va. -- When Vernon Davis didnt produce like his young self, he understood the questions.Everybody starts to worry, Davis said. Theyre like: Hey guys, we need to figure it out: Can Vernon still play?Quarterback Kirk Cousins wondered whats left in the tank for Davis when the Washington Redskins signed the veteran tight end after the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos decided they didnt need him.Those fears evaporated at an informal offseason session at a local Washington-area high school in April.We were throwing, and I realized right away this guy can still play, Cousins said. Im still trying to figure out what the catch is or why two teams let him go.The catch is Davis is 32 years old and in his 11th NFL season, and he was limited to two touchdowns in 2014 and none last season. Back in his hometown, hes rejuvenated with 31 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns through 11 games.I feel like the older I get, the better I get, said Davis, a D.C. native and star at Maryland. I feel like Im just starting, man. Im just getting started. I tell everyone the same thing: When I lose my speed, then Ill hang it up. But I still have my speed. I can still run. With that, I continue to play this game.Davis could be a big part of the Redskins game Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals as starting tight end Jordan Reeds status is in doubt with a sprained shoulder.Davis already shouldered the load when Reed missed two October games with a concussion, and he has the speed and big-play ability for Cousins to turn to him.Cousins said Davis could run the 40-yard dash like an elite wide receiver.Its just been a joy to play with him and have him on the team, Cousins said. And with the injuries that Jordans sustained, hes become even more valuable needing to step up and be a difference maker.Davis days as a difference maker arent that far gone. He had 52 catches, including 13 touchdowns, in 2013 for San Francisco.On Wednesday, he lamented mistakes madde along the way and expressed gratitude for playing and winning a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning.ddddddddddddDavis remained optimistic, but perhaps most importantly he maintained his chiseled physique -- which has receiver Pierre Garcon thinking: When you get older, you definitely want to look like that.Offensive coordinator Sean McVay said Davis is a guy that takes care of his body, and I think we felt very comfortable that if he was put in this situation that there would be a chance for him to have success.And hes definitely done a great job. Hes exceeded a lot of expectations.Beyond the passing game, coach Jay Gruden sees Davis influence on the run, too.I think thats where he has helped the most, Gruden said. These 4.6 yards a carry that I think we are averaging right now, a lot of it is because of our tight end -- blocking in the core, cut off on the backside or what have you -- and hes a big part of that.Blocking is one of Davis skills, but Garcon is quick to point out that hes a receiving tight end. Davis definitely feels like that again and is glad the Redskins took a chance on him.Im always expecting the best and preparing for the worst, Davis said. I wouldnt trade it for anything in the world, because being back home where I was born and raised, getting an opportunity to play in front of friends and family, cant trade that. It doesnt happen like that often.NOTE: Reed and DL Anthony Lanier (shin) did not practice Thursday for a second consecutive day. ... Cousins was chosen as the NFC offensive player of the month for November after completing 72.4 percent of his passes for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. He had a passer rating of 124.4 in November, and his 362 yards a game led all quarterbacks.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '