[MLS TRANSACTIONS] The makeover of the recently crowned MLS Cup champion continues. Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Savras, who impressed Galaxy players and coaches when they faced him in Concacaf Champions League group play a few months ago, has been acquired from Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense.

Savras, 30, is the latest piece in a renovation that has sent defender Gregg Berhalter overseas to coach Swedish club Hammarby and swooped up six players, including incumbents Frankie Hedjuk and Dasan Robinson, in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft. “He’s played against us twice this year, so we know the player," Arena told reporters during a conference call on Monday. "He’s a good player. He’s a good passer and is an experienced two-way midfielder. I think he’s going to be a good addition.”

A native of SAo Paulo, Sarvas came up through the youth ranks of Brazilian club Corinthians before spending four years in Sweden with several teams. He moved to Polonia Warsaw and then in 2009 to Alajuelense, a perennial contender for the Costa Rican league championship and traditionally one of the better clubs in Concacaf.

Arena has several questions to answer regarding his midfield. David Beckham’s future may lie with Paris St.-Germain or it may not; an offer has been made to retain linchpin Juninho, whose current loan from SAo Paulo is about to expire; and Chris Birchall is back home in England soliciting interest in his services. The trio played a combined 79 regular-season games in 2011, and Juninho started all 30 of his appearances while emerging as a reliable two-way player.

“Juninho has an offer,” Arena said. “[He] knows where we stand, his club knows that, his agent knows that, so they’ve just got to make a decision as to what they want to do.”