Chicago Fire FC has finalized the signing of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
At age 37, Lewandowski will join the MLS franchise as a free agent on a two-year contract, following the expiration of his deal with Barcelona this month.
Discussions between the Fire and Lewandowski have been ongoing for several months, culminating in an agreement during the Polish international’s recent trip to Chicago.
Persistence Pays Off in Lewandowski Deal
Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter remarked that the club had been working on this transfer for a year and a half. “The idea was first discussed back in January 2025, and after steadfast negotiations, we signed him in June 2026. Our perseverance paid off. We maintained dialogue with both him and his representatives, as we felt this was a tremendous opportunity for Robert and for the city of Chicago,” he shared with ESPN.
Berhalter emphasized Lewandowski’s exceptional record, stating, “It’s rare to find a player who wins at every stop, and that’s Robert’s history. Not only do his teams succeed, but he also performs at an elite level. No player in the last 15 years has scored more goals across the top five leagues than Robert.”
He lauded Lewandowski as “the best forward of this generation,” adding that he hasn’t encountered a better forward in the last decade and a half.
Recognizing Lewandowski’s eagerness to participate, Berhalter noted that while the team would monitor his physical load, Lewandowski is determined to play. He is expected to spend the upcoming weeks on fitness training, aiming for a debut on July 16.
Sources indicate that while there was significant interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Europe, Lewandowski opted to extend his career in the United States. Under Berhalter’s guidance, the Fire currently sit third in the Eastern Conference after 14 matches, and Lewandowski’s addition bolsters their ambitions for their first MLS Cup victory since 1998.
Lewandowski’s recent tenure at Barcelona included an impressive record of 120 goals in 193 appearances. He transferred from Bayern Munich in 2022 for €45 million, winning seven titles during his stint at Camp Nou, which featured three La Liga championships.
Prior to his time at Barcelona, Lewandowski made 375 appearances for Bayern Munich over eight years, where he scored a remarkable 344 goals and accumulated 19 titles, including eight Bundesliga championships and one UEFA Champions League title.
His accolades also include two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012. He began his career in Poland, making a significant impact at Lech Poznań with 103 goals in 187 games.
Individually, Lewandowski was named Best FIFA Men’s Player in both 2020 and 2021. He missed out on the 2020 Ballon d’Or due to its postponement amid the pandemic, a decision even Lionel Messi acknowledged, stating in 2021 that Lewandowski “deserved” the 2020 award.
As Lewandowski joins the Fire, he will be pitted against fellow football star Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami. Both teams are in the Eastern Conference, setting the stage for an exciting rivalry. The two sides could potentially clash on the field as early as July 22, when Inter Miami CF hosts the Chicago Fire at their new stadium. However, the anticipated matchup may be delayed while Messi competes at the World Cup, and it remains uncertain when Lewandowski will make his debut for the Fire.
