Polish striker joins Chicago Fire on two-year MLS contract
Robert Lewandowski has signed for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire on a two-year contract, the club announced on Tuesday, bringing the 37-year-old Polish striker to the United States for the first time in his career. The move, confirmed by Reuters and the BBC , marks a significant coup for MLS as it continues to attract global football icons in their later years.
Chicago Fire described Lewandowski as “a global soccer icon” in a statement released on 30 June 2026, framing his arrival as a statement of ambition for the franchise. The Pole, a former Barcelona striker and Poland’s all-time top scorer, will remain under contract until the end of the 2028 season, giving the club a marquee signing through the next World Cup cycle. His move follows a pattern of high-profile transfers to MLS, including Australia’s Sam Kerr’s switch to NWSL champions Gotham FC on a deal running until 2030 .
The transfer arrives as MLS seeks to consolidate its status as a destination for ageing stars seeking a final chapter in North America. Lewandowski’s arrival in Chicago follows the path blazed by German midfield legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, who helped raise the club’s profile during his time in Illinois . German media noted the symbolic continuity, with the *Tagesspiegel* describing the deal as “the next stop Chicago” for European football stars looking to conclude their careers in the U.S. .
Lewandowski, who left Barcelona at the end of the 2024–25 season, will bring experience and leadership to a Chicago Fire side that finished 12th in the Eastern Conference in 2025. His arrival comes amid a busy transfer window in MLS, with clubs also pursuing younger talent and tactical upgrades ahead of the 2027 season. The Polish striker’s move underscores MLS’s growing appeal as a destination for household names seeking a blend of competitive football and commercial opportunities in North America.
Chicago Fire’s announcement did not disclose financial terms, but the club’s statement emphasised Lewandowski’s global profile and on-field pedigree. The signing is expected to boost ticket sales and merchandise revenue, while also providing a high-profile figurehead for the franchise’s push toward the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs. Lewandowski, who made his Poland debut in 2008, will add to his tally of 82 international goals when he joins his new teammates for pre-season training in July 2026.
Follow us for live European news
Articles
Lewandowski joins Chicago Fire on deal until 2028 reut.rs/43ZtNiS
bluesky_Reuters · about 2 hours ago
Blazers acquire Ja Morant in 3-player deal with Grizzlies reut.rs/4eR5DvM
bluesky_Reuters · about 3 hours ago
Australian football legend Sam Kerr signs with Gotham FC after Chelsea exit Kerr signs with the NWSL champions until 2030, returning to the US league after six years spent with Chelsea in England.
aljazeera · about 3 hours ago
From now on, its Intel Football (not soccer for our American followers).
telegram_Intel Slava · about 3 hours ago
US-Fußball: Lewandowski-Wechsel in die USA fix: Nächster Halt Chicago Bastian Schweinsteiger brachte Chicago Fire einst ins Bewusstsein deutscher Fußball-Fans, nun hat sich der Club den nächsten Star mit großer Vergangenheit in Deutschland geangelt.
tagesspiegel · about 4 hours ago
Aufsteiger: Elversberg startet mit Optimismus ins Abenteuer Bundesliga
die zeit · about 4 hours ago
Kane will sign new Bayern deal - Tuesdays gossip Harry Kane will extend his Bayern Munich contract, Manchester City plan major rebuild, while Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria is a target for Chelsea.
bbc sport · about 4 hours ago
Polish football star Lewandowski joins Chicago Fire "We have signed [a] global soccer icon," declared his new team.
notes from poland · about 5 hours ago
Lewandowski joins MLS side Chicago Fire until 2028 Former Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski joins Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire on a two-year deal.
bbc sport · about 5 hours ago
El Real Madrid hace una oferta a Pedro Martínez para relevar a Sergio Scariolo en el banquillo El club pagaría su actual cláusula, de un millón de euros, y le ofrecería un contrato de tres temporadas. El Valencia Basket busca retenerlo a toda costa Leer
elmundo · about 5 hours ago
Bournemouth reject Arsenal interest in Scott Bournemouth reject an enquiry from Arsenal for Alex Scott and say the midfielder is not for sale this summer.
bbc sport · about 6 hours ago
Inside Tottenhams aggressive approach to the summer transfer window
bluesky_The Times · about 6 hours ago
Fußball-Transferticker: Lewandowski wechselt in die USA zu Chicago Fire Wie wichtigsten Transfer-News im Fußball ▷ Transfermarkt, Vereinswechsel und Vertragsverlängerungen in der Bundesliga und international im Überblick bei der F.A.Z.
faz · about 6 hours ago
Hokejový obránce Gudas byl z Anaheimu vyměněn na Floridu. K Panthers se vrací po třech letech Český hokejový obránce Radko Gudas se v NHL vrací z Anaheimu na Floridu. Ducks svého kapitána, jemuž po sezoně skončila smlouva, vyměnili za kanadského útočníka A. J. Greera. Šestatřicetiletý bek se tak ve středu může stát takzvaným nechráněným volným hráčem. Informoval o tom web zámořské soutěže.
irozhlas.cz · about 6 hours ago
Héctor Hernández, hombre fuerte de Juan Roig, deja Mercadona Le sustituye Enric Carbonell, director general del Valencia Basket. Leer
expansion · about 7 hours ago
AZ verhuurt aanvaller Zeefuik aan Fortuna Sittard AZ verhuurt Lequincio Zeefuik komend seizoen aan Fortuna Sittard. Dat heeft de club uit Alkmaar maandag bekendgemaakt. Hij staat nog tot medio 2029 onder contract bij AZ.
rtl nieuws · about 7 hours ago
Revs promote Curt Onalfo, Chris Tierney in front office reut.rs/3T9ZDac
bluesky_Reuters · about 7 hours ago
McCullum & Key should go in complete clearout - Vaughan Former captain Michael Vaughan says England coach Brendon McCullum and Rob Key should resign as part of a "complete clear-out" following the retirement of Ben Stokes.
bbc sport · about 7 hours ago