Veteran Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares announced his retirement as a player Wednesday and will remain with the organization as an ambassador and Fire Academy coach.
Segares, a 32-year-old Costa Rica native, was selected in the third round of the 2005 Major League Soccer SuperDraft and spent his entire professional career with the Fire.
“It has been an incredible ride for me, filled with many good memories and amazing moments that I will never forget,” Segares said in a statement. “This game has given me the honor of representing my country, my club and to make my family proud. I leave the sport today knowing that I left it all in the field for them.”
He played in 231 regular MLS games, starting 227. and collected 11 goals and 14 assists. Segares had 264 appearances in all competitions, including 13 postseason games. He is only one of seven Fire players to surpass 200 appearances.
Also Wednesday, the Fire announced they had signed first-round draft pick Matt Polster. A 21-year-old defender from Las Vegas, Polster spent his four-year collegiate career at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, where he made 79 career starts. Terms were not disclosed.