Robert Lewandowski is starting a new chapter: The star striker is following in the footsteps of Bastian Schweinsteiger and has signed with Chicago Fire.
Robert Lewandowski had no shortage of offers. After leaving FC Barcelona following the expiration of his contract, there was keen interest in the services of the longtime Bundesliga striker, who had played for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Somewhat surprisingly, the MLS club Chicago Fire came out on top. On Monday, the Illinois-based franchise—for which Bastian Schweinsteiger once played—announced the signing of the star striker.
Lewandowski signed a contract through 2028 with the team currently ranked third in the Eastern Conference—and will now lead the way as a “key player” on the path to success. “His signing reinforces our ambition to compete for titles and raises the bar for the club to a level worthy of this city,” said Chicago’s sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Back in mid-June, the coach had already confirmed his interest in and hope for signing the Polish player in an interview with Polish journalist Mateusz Skwierawski. “We presented our project and our plans to him: We want to become a world-class club,” said the American, who played for Energie Cottbus and 1860 Munich in Germany’s 1st and 2nd Bundesliga. The focus was particularly on the question of how Lewandowski “could help the team win the championship.”
Reunion with Müller
With this goal in mind, the Polish player—who will turn 38 in August—is now taking on his first challenge outside of Europe. Throughout his career, “Lewy” has won nearly every possible title in club soccer with Borussia Dortmund (103 goals and 42 assists in 187 games), Bayern Munich (344/23/375), and FC Barcelona (120/24/193)—capped off by the treble with Germany’s record-holding champions in 2020.
Lewandowski, who will become one of the highest-paid players in MLS as a so-called “Designated Player,” had not given any thought to retiring recently. And even as a part-time player in 2025–26, he still managed to impress: The center forward contributed a total of 17 goal involvements to FC Barcelona’s second consecutive title win. After stints in Poland, Germany, and Spain, he is now embarking on his adventure in the U.S.
In his new home overseas, a reunion with the star striker could be in store as early as his first game: Following the World Cup break, on July 17 (CEST), the Chicago Fire will face off against Lewandowski’s former teammate Thomas Müller and the Vancouver Whitecaps. A week later, the U.S. club will also visit Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. However, the Argentine will likely be on World Cup vacation at that time.
