Robert Lewandowski's next club has been announced. On Monday, the Polish striker officially signed for the Chicago Fire in the United States. He immediately becomes the star player on a Chicago team that sits third in the MLS's Eastern Conference ahead of the season restart in mid-July. Lewandowski signed a contract through the 2027/28 season after leaving FC Barcelona on a free transfer.
After establishing himself as one of the best players in the world at Bayern Munich, Lewandowski signed for Barcelona in July 2022 for a fee worth up to €50 million. Despite Barcelona struggling, both financially and on the pitch, the Polish striker hit the ground running in Catalunya, helping the club escape a dark period of their history.
In his first season, Lewandowski scored 33 goals and had eight assists in all competitions. He won the Pichichi Trophy as the top scorer in La Liga as Barcelona returned to the top of the league for the first time since 2019. In total, he won La Liga three times with the club over his four seasons, scoring 120 goals in all competitions.
On May 16, it was confirmed that Lewandowski, now 37, would leave the club upon the expiration of his contract. Many clubs were rumored to be interested, but the striker made the decision to head to the United States, joining Chicago.
“From the day [owner] Joe Mansueto and I met for the first time, we set out to build a world-class Club that inspires greatness, unites Chicago and wins championships. Robert embodies those values and represents the standards this city deserves: a champion and a competitor,” said Gregg Berhalter, the club's Director of Football and Head Coach, in an official statement.
“His arrival reinforces our ambition to compete for trophies and raises the standards for the Club to heights worthy of this city. 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.”
Under Berhalter, Chicago reached the MLS playoffs last season for the first time in nearly a decade. However, the Fire were promptly knocked out in the first round by the Supporters' Shield champions, the Philadelphia Union, after losing two games of the MLS's unique three-game series to start the playoffs.
Chicago have continued to improve this season and sits third in the Eastern Conference, only five points behind Lionel Messi and Inter Miami with a game in hand. Nashville SC is currently first in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Miami. Only three teams in the Eastern Conference have outscored Chicago thus far.
It is unclear at this time whether or not Lewandowski will play alongside Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers, who has 13 goals in eleven appearances for Chicago this season. According to MLS expert Tom Bogert, a number of teams have expressed interest in Cuypers, although, should he stay, he and Lewandowski would form one of the deadliest attacks in MLS.
Lewandowski joins a long list of former Barcelona players in the United States. Lionel Messi remains the face of the league and of Inter Miami, where another ex-Barcelona striker, the legendary Luis Suárez, plays as well. Local rivals Orlando City recently announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann, while Riqui Puig has been with the LA Galaxy since 2022. André Gomes, too, recently moved to MLS, joining the Columbus Crew in February.
Lewandowski's first game could see him reunite with an old friend from Bayern Munich, as Chicago returns from the international break to play the Vancouver Whitecaps. Vancouver, who sit on top of MLS's Western Conference, are led by ex-Bayern star Thomas Müller. The following week, Lewandowski and Chicago take on Messi and Miami.
Hansi Flick and Barcelona have a difficult task in replacing Lewandowski this summer. Forward Anthony Gordon has already joined in a big-money move from Newcastle United, while there has been very public interest in Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez.
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