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Chicago Fire Sign Lewandowski After Barcelona Exit

6/29/2026

Summary

Lewandowski Joins Chicago

Chicago Fire will sign Robert Lewandowski as a free agent after his Barcelona contract expires following the 2025-26 season.
He left Barcelona with 14 goals, two assists in 31 games and helped win a second straight La Liga title.
Chicago, third in the Eastern Conference with 26 points from 14 games, resumes on July 16 versus Vancouver and could face Messi on July 22 in Miami.

Summary

Lewandowski Signs

Robert Lewandowski has signed a two-year contract with Chicago Fire, with an optional third year.
The deal pays €15 million annually, up to €20 million with bonuses, making him one of MLS’s top earners.
Owner Joe Mansueto calls the signing a brand-building move as MLS clubs chase veteran European talent.
Analysts say the salary, though below Lionel Messi’s $28 million, raises the MLS wage ceiling and backs plans for the 2028 McDonald’s Park stadium.

Summary

Lewandowski Transfers

The transfer will be finalized after Robert Lewandowski becomes a free agent on 1 July.
Robert Lewandowski, 37, posted 120 goals and 24 assists in 193 Barcelona matches since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022.
The club said he toured Chicago and met officials two weeks before signing.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano first disclosed the move on X as “EXCLUSIVE,” while owner Mbekezeli Mbokazi confirmed the signing.

Summary

Lewandowski Talks

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski, 37, is in talks with Chicago Fire but has not signed a contract.
He has 167 caps, 89 goals, played for Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and boasts 38.8 million Instagram and 3.2 million X followers.
Chicago Fire’s McDonald’s Park, due 2028, hopes his celebrity will lift ticket sales and sponsorships after recent MLS arrivals of Messi, Müller and Son.

History

Historical Context

In January 2007 David Beckham left Real Madrid for a five-year designated-player contract with the LA Galaxy, unveiled before about 5,000 fans at the Home Depot Center. The deal sparked MLS commercial growth—adding roughly 11,000 season-ticket holders and prompting the Designated Player rule that now underpins Chicago Fire’s 2025-26 chase of Robert Lewandowski.

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Lewandowski Joins Chicago

Chicago Fire will sign Robert Lewandowski as a free agent after his Barcelona contract expires following the 2025-26 season.
He left Barcelona with 14 goals, two assists in 31 games and helped win a second straight La Liga title.
Chicago, third in the Eastern Conference with 26 points from 14 games, resumes on July 16 versus Vancouver and could face Messi on July 22 in Miami.

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