Segares letter to fans was published in the Chicago Times
by Dan Gaichas, Windy City Soccer
Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares announced his retirement from professional soccer on Wednesday after a ten-year career. He will become an assistant with the Fire Academy as well as a club ambassador.
Segares was drafted by the Fire in 2005 (35th overall) from Virginia Commonwealth. He made 264 competitive appearances for the Fire scoring 12 goals and 14 assists and was named club Defender of the Year in 2007. He had a brief spell with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol in 2010 and made 12 appearances before re-joining the Fire that August. The Costa Rican international was capped 19 times with the first coming in 2007 against Honduras.
His option was not renewed after the 2014 season.
“Today is a very sad day for me, as I am announcing my retirement from professional soccer. It has been an incredible ride for me, filled with many good memories and amazing moments that I will never forget,” said Segares. “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.
“To [owner]Andrew [Hauptman] and the Fire organization, thank you for letting me fulfill my dreams and allowing me to represent this extraordinary institution. I am excited to now begin a new challenge with the Fire.”
“Gonzalo is a player who wore the Fire badge with pride every time he stepped into the field,” said Fire owner Andrew Hauptman. “For the past 10 years, he played with passion, grit and determination and was always a force for the Club as well as a tremendous ambassador off the field. I look forward to having him continue on as a member of the Fire family and thank him for his meaningful accomplishments.”
The club will announce at a later date plans to honor his career. For now, you can view his letter to the fans by following this link.
