El Salvador star Martinez to play midfield for Fire

The Fire can check off the right midfield spot.

The team announced Thursday the long-awaited signing of El Salvador national team midfielder Julio Martinez on loan from Mexican second-division club Leon. Martinez played for new Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos with El Salvador, but the Fire has been scouting Martinez for more than a year, technical director Frank Klopas said.

"This mainly has a lot to do with Javier Leon and his connections in Mexico," Klopas said of the Andell Sports Group managing director, who oversees the team for owner Andrew Hauptman.

Chris Rolfe played right midfield most of 2009 for the Fire, but he left for Denmark.

"Chris was different," Klopas said, noting Rolfe was more comfortable at forward. "They're different players. I just think we're looking for more of a right-sided midfielder with the qualities of the right-sided midfielder."

Klopas described Martinez, 24, as someone who can work the sideline and send in quality crosses but who can also dribble into the penalty area, has a powerful shot and is very good in the air. He also called Martinez a "two-way player."

"When you add them up it's a quality player," Klopas added.

"Julio is a true professional with a winner's mentality who will come in and help our team," de los Cobos said. "I could not be happier about his signing and look forward to incorporating him in with the rest of the guys."

Klopas still is trying to fill the left back spot that remains open after Gonzalo Segares' departure, and the second forward spot Cuauhtemoc Blanco used to fill. Klopas is rumored to be near deals for 22-year-old Polish defender Krzysztof Krol and forward Collins John, Brian McBride's strike partner at Fulham.

"There's definitely other things that we have in the works, but there's not much to say right now," Klopas said.