Robert Lewandowski’s post-Barcelona destination has reportedly been confirmed, with the 37-year-old Polish striker agreeing a two-year contract with MLS club Chicago Fire, according to reports. The deal includes an option for a third season and is reportedly worth between €10 million and €15 million net annually.
Lewandowski became a free agent after his four-year contract with Barcelona expired, with the Spanish club and the striker unable to agree on extension terms or an acceptable reduced squad role. Despite interest from multiple top-tier clubs, the veteran forward has chosen the United States as the next chapter of his career.
The striker turned down substantial financial proposals from Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, as well as an approach from Serie A outfit AC Milan. A visit to Chicago Fire’s training facilities alongside his agent Pini Zahavi is reported to have played a decisive role in swaying his choice, with the move offering him the opportunity to serve as the face of the franchise.
Lewandowski’s arrival in MLS adds to a growing roster of global football icons in the league. Lionel Messi has been spearheading Inter Miami’s ambitions, while South Korean winger Son Heung-Min recently joined LAFC, reinforcing the league’s growing ability to attract marquee talent in the latter stages of their careers.
His departure from Barcelona brings to a close a stint in Catalonia that yielded three La Liga titles, with Lewandowski serving as the focal point of the club’s attack throughout his time there. However, the greater portion of his legacy was built during his years at Bayern Munich, where he claimed the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League and won eight consecutive Bundesliga titles with the German giants.
It was also at Bayern where Lewandowski etched his name into the record books, netting 41 goals in the 2020/21 Bundesliga season to surpass Gerd Müller’s 49-year-old record of 40 league goals in a single campaign — a mark many had considered untouchable.
For Chicago Fire, the signing represents one of the most significant acquisitions in the club’s recent history. The franchise has struggled to maintain consistent national relevance in MLS for much of the past two decades, with their most celebrated moment remaining the 1998 MLS Cup triumph — achieved in the club’s inaugural season. Securing a striker widely regarded as one of the most prolific forwards of the 21st century offers the club a tangible opportunity to raise its profile and on-field fortunes.
Lewandowski’s move, if confirmed, would see him become the latest in a series of European veterans to opt for MLS over the Saudi Pro League — a trend that underlines the American league’s increasing attractiveness as a destination for elite players approaching the end of their peak years.
