Galaxy adds Jeff Larentowicz and is near deal with Mike Magee

The Galaxy continued its off-season rebuilding Wednesday, signing free-agent midfielder Jeff Larentowicz while closing in on another deal to return midfielder Mike Magee to the StubHub Center.

Both players were declared free agents last month after their former club, the Chicago Fire, chose not to resign them.

Larentowicz, 32, is an 11-year Major League Soccer veteran who can also play on the back line. He has made more than 300 MLS regular-season appearances with the New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids and Fire, leading Chicago in minutes played last season.

Larentowicz has played three games with the U.S. national team.

“Jeff is an experienced and proven midfielder in our league,” Galaxy Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena said in a statement. “He gives our team another veteran presence on the field and in the locker room.”

Magee, 31, was a fan favorite during his five seasons with the Galaxy, for which he scored eight goals in 16 postseason games. He was traded to Chicago in May 2013 for the rights to Robbie Rogers, and went on to win league most-valuable-player honors with the Fire. His 2014 season ended early because of hip surgery. That also limited him to just 12 appearances last year.

Magee’s signing could be announced in the next week.

In addition, the Galaxy is still in negotiations to bring back forward Alan Gordon and is finalizing its deal with Roma defender Ashley Cole, who is expected to join the team on a free transfer.