Robert Lewandowski, one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, has swapped the Camp Nou for Soldier Field. The 37-year-old Poland international has joined Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire on a two-year deal after his contract at Barcelona expired, marking the latest high-profile European star to head to the United States.
Lewandowski leaves Barcelona after four seasons in La Liga, where he scored 120 goals in 193 games and helped the club win three league titles and the 2025 Copa del Rey. Before that, he spent 12 seasons in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, winning 10 German titles and the 2020 Champions League. Over his entire career, since his debut in 2008, he has scored 697 goals for club and country – the third-highest among active players, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (975) and Lionel Messi (917). He is Poland's all-time record scorer with 89 international goals.
“Robert Lewandowski's move to Chicago Fire explained.”
The move to MLS is not entirely surprising. Top European players in their mid-to-late 30s often look to the United States for a final lucrative contract in a less physically demanding league. Lewandowski, who was a free agent after his Barcelona contract ended, had also been linked with AC Milan and Saudi Pro League clubs. Chicago Fire, who finished third in the MLS Eastern Conference and ended a seven-year playoff drought last season, will now build their attack around Lewandowski. He will occupy a designated player slot, pending visa approval and an international transfer certificate.
For UK readers, Lewandowski's move is a reminder of MLS's growing appeal. The league has attracted ageing stars for years – David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney – but Lewandowski arrives with a Champions League title and multiple domestic honours. His presence could raise the profile of the league further and potentially influence where young British players consider moving in the future. It also highlights the financial pull of the US market: Chicago Fire are building a new stadium, McDonald's Park, and have a state-of-the-art training centre.
Q: How many goals has Robert Lewandowski scored in his career? Lewandowski has scored 697 goals for club and country since turning professional in 2008, making him the third-highest scorer among current players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Q: Why did Robert Lewandowski leave Barcelona? His contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season and he was not offered a new deal. Injuries limited him to just 17 league starts in his final season, and Barcelona have used the freed-up wages to sign younger players.
Q: What is a designated player in MLS? A designated player slot allows clubs to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the league's salary cap. This rule, often called the "Beckham rule," enables MLS teams to attract global stars like Lewandowski.
Lewandowski's debut for Chicago Fire is expected after the World Cup break, with the team returning to action on 17 July against Vancouver. The club hopes he will help them contend for an MLS Cup title. For now, Chicago's large Polish community – one of the biggest outside Poland – is celebrating the arrival of a national hero.