Rapids land Edu, Chicago and Columbus make summer moves

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Apr 27, 2012

[MLS TRANSACTIONS] Not to be confused with midfielder Edu (Eduardo Cesar Daud Gaspar), who played for Arsenal and retired in 2010, or striker Edu (Eduardo Goncalves de Oliveira), who is playing on loan at Turkish club Besiktas from Schalke 04, or the two other players named Edu, who starred for Brazil in the 1960s and 1970s, Edu (Luis Eduardo Schmidt) signed with the Colorado Rapids.

Edu, a forward, returned to Brazil in 2009 after spending nine years in Spain with Celta and Vigo.

“Edu is a skilled and creative forward with a great deal of experience,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “His signing will bolster our attack and we’re happy to add him to the roster.”

-- The Chicago Fire signed a Brazilian of its own, Alex, on a free transfer from Swiss club FC Wohlen. The 23-year-old midfielder will be eligible to play upon the opening of the summer transfer window on June 27. He played two games early in preseason during a trial with the Fire.

-- The Columbus Crew acquired Costa Rican Jairo Arrieta from Saprissa of the Costa Rican First Division, where he has scored 45 goals over the last five seasons and was second in scoring in the 2011 Campeonato de Invierno. He will also become available for selection when the transfer window opens on June 27. The 28-year-old forward has been capped three times by the Costa Rican national team.