BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire's designated player signings of Nery Castillo and Freddie Ljungberg craved so much attention. But Fire defender and Costa Rica native Gonzalo Segares will prove to be an equally important addition for Chicago in this second half of the MLS season.

Segares, who had been playing for Greek Cypriot club Apollon Limassol, also should be the smoothest transition among Chicago's recent signings.

The Fire host the New England Revolution on Wednesday at Toyota Park, and Segares returns less than a year removed from his previous MLS season.

"I always thought about coming back to MLS, especially coming back here to Chicago," Segares said. "I always wanted that. It was quicker than expected, but I'm glad to be back."

Segares likely will return to his customary left defensive back slot that Fire fans are used to watching. But if Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos wants to tinker with a few things, Segares is willing to move toward the center, too.

"If he wants me to play center back or left back, I've really got no problem with that. I'm used to both positions," Segares said. "On the [Costa Rica] national team I used to play as a center back, and here I'm more as a left back. I don't think I'd have trouble getting used to that. It's just one or two days in the position and I'll be fine."

Segares' familiarity with the Fire defense and already having played alongside Wilman Conde and C.J. Brown makes for a natural return. The one factor that has changed dramatically from last year's team -- aside from the bulk of personnel moves -- is the style of play.

"Bringing a Latin coach, things are going to be different," Segares said of De los Cobos. "I think that players -- especially the guys here from the States that haven't experienced much of that -- really weren't expecting that. It's kind of a cultural thing, I think. Here, it is a more direct style of soccer. Going to the national team in Costa Rica, it is slow-paced, open, and it's something different that you've got to get used to. But I think little by little, just like the coach has to get used to playing MLS, we've got to get used to the way he wants to play."

Segares' demeanor appears to suit this approach. He has shown possessive qualities in his game and always has had the natural inclination to push forward when appropriate.

"I don't think it changes much," Segares said. "Maybe a little bit depending on the formation that we play -- if we have three in the middle or [De los Cobos] switches to having three up top. If Nery is in front of me, then I have to stay more defensive because he's more of an offensive-minded guy. I know that if I have Marco [Pappa] or Mike Banner in front, once they see me go by, they're going to step back and cover me. It's just those little things."

As far as game fitness, Segares says he is pretty close to where he wants to be heading into Wednesday's match.

"I kept myself doing a lot of fitness while I was waiting," Segares said. "Basically the only thing I needed was just to get on the field and get game fitness, and the only way to get that is playing. So no troubles at all -- maybe a little bit sore, trying to get my feet used to wearing cleats again. I went a couple months not wearing them."

The Fire-Revs match is an important one for both Eastern Conference squads. Chicago and New England are tied in points with 21 points apiece and share the fourth-place slot. But the Fire (5-5-6) have played two less matches than the Revs (6-9-3).