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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – There were plenty of hugs, handshakes and high-fives Wednesday at Halas Hall as Bears players and coaches welcomed Chris Harris back to the team.

The veteran safety, who played his first two NFL seasons with the Bears in 2005-06, was reacquired Tuesday in a trade with the Carolina Panthers in exchange for linebacker Jamar Williams.

“I’m extremely excited,” said defensive lineman Israel Idonije. “We know what Chris did here. We had a lot of success with him. He’s a passionate player, a vocal guy on the field. It’s good to have him back. We expect him to pick up where he left off, making plays and just be for us what he’s been in the past.”

Harris helped the Bears win back-to-back NFC North titles while playing for a defense that ranked second in the NFL in total yards in 2005 and fifth in 2006 when Chicago reached the Super Bowl.

“Chris has always been a buddy,” said linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. “We stayed in touch even when he was gone. We had some great football years when he was here, so we’re hoping that he’ll be part of getting back to that. It’s exciting to see him.”

Lance Briggs likened Harris’ return to welcoming a long lost relative back into the family.

“It’s great to have him back,” said the Pro Bowl linebacker. “He was a vital part of us getting to the Super Bowl and he’ll be a vital part of us getting back to it.

“One of the things I’ve talked about was having a veteran safety here to really kind of help some of the young guys, and Chris is that. I can’t think of anyone better than him.”

Harris spent much of the day catching up with old friends. He watched his teammates work out on the practice field, chatting first with coach Lovie Smith and then defensive assistants Jon Hoke and Gill Byrd.

After practice, Harris laughed and joked with wide receivers Devin Hester and Rashied Davis and received a big bear hug from running backs coach Tim Spencer.

“It’s been fun,” Harris said. “You get to come in and you see familiar faces unlike going to a team where you don’t know anybody. That’s how it was when I went to Carolina. I didn’t know anybody. To come  back here and see familiar faces and guys I played with, it makes things a lot better.”

The first Bears player Harris saw upon arriving at Halas Hall was center Olin Kreutz, who greeted his old friend with a hug. “I was glad to see him,” Harris said. “He’s a leader on this team and I missed his personality.”