Robert Lewandowski joins Chicago Fire ahead of MLS debut

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski completed a free‑transfer from FC Barcelona to Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire, signing a contract that runs through the 2027/28 season. The deal reportedly includes a base salary of around 16 million USD per year, with bonuses that could push total earnings above 20 million USD, making it the club’s most lucrative contract.

Lewandowski was officially presented in Chicago on 29 June, held a press conference with coach Gregg Berhalter and took part in his first training session the following day. He arrived in the United States before his family, who have expressed mixed emotions about the move. His wife Anna posted about the difficulty of relocating from Barcelona to Chicago.

The striker’s MLS debut is slated for the club’s first match after the World Cup break, a home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps on 17 July (02:30 am Polish time). MLS referee Łukasz Szpala noted that the league’s physical style will differ from the defensive rigor Lewandowski faced in Europe, but expects his offensive skills to translate well.

Chicago Fire, which has not won an MLS Cup since 1998, hopes Lewandowski’s arrival will revitalize the team. Former Bayern Munich teammates Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Müller are already in MLS, and Lewandowski cited conversations with them as part of his decision to move abroad.