Robert Lewandowski officially signed with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire on a deal running through the 2027-28 MLS season, the club announced on June 29, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The 37-year-old Polish striker was a free agent after his contract with Barcelona expired on June 30, 2026 [5, 4].

Lewandowski is expected to fill a Designated Player slot and occupy an international roster spot once he receives his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate [1, 2, 3]. Chicago Fire currently sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference with 26 points from 14 games, seven points behind leaders Nashville at the World Cup break [6, 1, 3, 5].

Lewandowski ended a four-year spell at Barcelona having scored 120 goals and helped the club secure three La Liga titles plus the 2025 Copa del Rey [6, 1, 2, 3, 5, 4]. Barcelona paid Bayern Munich $57 million (€50 million) to sign him in 2022, and he became a club legend despite being nearly 34 at the time [4].

Prior to Barcelona, Lewandowski spent 12 seasons in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, winning 10 league titles and the 2020 UEFA Champions League [6, 2]. Across all competitions for Dortmund, Bayern, and Barcelona, he has scored 567 club goals and collected 30 major trophies [1, 2, 3, 5].

For Poland, Lewandowski is the all-time top scorer with 89 goals in 167 appearances, holding records for both caps and goals [6, 1, 2, 3, 5]. Including international goals, his total career tally of 697 club and country goals ranks seventh in history and third among active players as of mid-2026 [2].

There was interest from AC Milan and clubs in the Saudi Pro League before Lewandowski chose Chicago Fire [6, 4]. Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter praised Lewandowski's professionalism and winning mentality, calling him "a champion and a competitor" who raises the club's standards to match the city’s ambition. Berhalter said, "We cannot wait to get to work with him and have Chicago see first-hand why he is among the most revered sporting icons in the world" [1, 3, 5, 4].

Reports vary on Lewandowski’s contract length, ranging from a two-year deal to a contract running through the 2027-28 season [6, 1, 2, 3, 5]. Barcelona have begun seeking a successor, with Julian Alvarez reportedly their top target [4].

Lewandowski’s arrival boosts Chicago Fire’s chances as they aim to compete for MLS trophies in the 2026 season and beyond.