Maurício Lemos, a 29-year-old Uruguayan defender, has reached Rio de Janeiro to finalize a contract with Vasco and is set to be officially introduced to the fans. He ended his contract with Atlético-MG after experiencing limited opportunities last season. Lemos conveyed his excitement about joining Vasco, mentioning that the club's history and a discussion with right-back Puma Rodríguez played a significant role in his decision. Despite facing a challenging season with restricted playtime at Atlético-MG, Lemos remains motivated to play and is keen to become part of Vasco's squad.

ESPN reported that the Uruguayan defender Mauricio Lemos is set to join Vasco on a permanent basis. It was mentioned that the club Atlético-MG has already started the process of terminating his contract. Although Lemos's contract with Atlético-MG was initially supposed to end at the year's close, he fell out of favor with coach Gabriel Milito in 2024 and nearly transferred to Vasco the previous year. He is viewed as a key addition to bolster Vasco's defense, which received criticism in the last season. The 29-year-old defender, who became part of Atlético-MG in 2023, participated in 57 matches, netted 3 goals, and provided one assist. Vasco has been actively enhancing its team, having already confirmed the signings of Tchê Tchê, Daniel Fuzato, and Lucas Oliveira, and is nearing a deal to acquire Lucas Freitas from Juventude. The club's defense, especially following Léo's transfer to Athletico-PR, is regarded as an area requiring substantial enhancement.