The Rapids on Tuesday were near adding Spanish midfielder Jose Mari to its roster, in a move that will bring them a former La Liga first-division player.

A Rapids spokesman confirmed that Mari is in Denver and will meet the team for preseason games in Las Vegas later this week.

Mari, 26, played three seasons for Spain’s Real Zaragoza, in that team’s relegation drop from the Spanish first-division La Liga to the second division.

Mari left that club last week when he and the team failed to agree on a contract.

“We’re bringing him with the hopes that we can finalize a contract with him,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo said in a statement.

Mari (his full name is José María Martín Bejarano-Serrano) slots as a defensive midfielder, although he scored a game-winning goal in the 90th minute of a 2-1 victory over Cordoba in August.

On Tuesday, Mari’s agent said that Mari was leaving Spain to join a team in MLS.

The Rapids, based on MLS procedure, likely have Mari on a discovery list with the league, thus earning first-dibs on his rights when he signs with MLS.

It’s likely that Mari’s signing means the end of Hendry Thomas’ time in Colorado. Thomas, who was signed two seasons ago after leaving Wigan of the English Premier League, couldn’t agree on a contract extension with the Rapids. The third year in his contract with Colorado was a club option, which the Rapids declined to meet.

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke