Robert Lewandowski agrees to join Chicago Fire on two-year deal

Robert Lewandowski, one of the most prolific goal scorers in European football history, has agreed to join Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire FC on a two-year contract.

Lewandowski became a free agent in June 2026 after his contract with FC Barcelona expired. The 37-year-old is heading to Chicago.

What we know about the deal

The agreement is reportedly for two years with an option for a third season. Salary estimates place the deal in the range of €10 million to €15 million net per year, making it one of the richest contracts in MLS history.

Lewandowski and his longtime agent Pini Zahavi visited Chicago Fire’s training facility around June 12-13, 2026. Chicago Fire made an official two-year offer, and the club has been prioritizing this signing as a way to dramatically elevate its profile within the league.

Lewandowski reportedly received offers from Saudi Arabian clubs. He deprioritized those offers in favor of the MLS opportunity.

A career built on relentless scoring

Lewandowski’s career at Borussia Dortmund and then Bayern Munich established him as a prominent Bundesliga scorer. At Bayern Munich, Lewandowski won eight consecutive Bundesliga titles. He scored 41 goals in a single Bundesliga season in 2020-21, breaking Gerd Muller’s record that had stood for nearly 50 years. He won the Champions League in 2020. His move to Barcelona in 2022 extended his career at the highest level of European competition, with his contract expiring in June 2026.

What this means for MLS and Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural 1998 season. The Designated Player rule, originally created to bring David Beckham to LA Galaxy in 2007, was designed precisely for moments like this.

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