Robert Lewandowski has reached an agreement to join Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, bringing his four-year spell at FC Barcelona to an end.
Farewell to Barcelona
The Polish striker announced his departure with a message thanking Barcelona’s supporters, club president Joan Laporta and everyone who made his time in Catalonia special. He said that, after winning titles with the club, he felt his mission at Barça was complete.
Lewandowski arrived from Bayern Munich in 2022 and became one of the leaders of a young Barcelona side, scoring regularly and helping the team win domestic honours.
Why MLS
Lewandowski had lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia but chose the United States. He said he wanted a new sporting challenge and the chance to experience life in another country with his family.
Two weeks before the agreement, he travelled to Chicago with his agent, Pini Zahavi, to see the city and the club’s facilities and meet its officials. The visit convinced him that Chicago was the right place for the next stage of his career.
The contract
The deal covers more than one season and, according to reports, will pay him close to $20 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid players in MLS. Lewandowski insisted the decision was driven by sporting ambition rather than money.
He will move to the US with his wife, Anna Lewandowska, and their two daughters.
What it means for Chicago
For Chicago Fire, the signing is a major statement. The club has struggled in recent seasons and is building a new stadium project in the city. A player of Lewandowski’s stature should help the team on the pitch and raise its profile off it, as Lionel Messi did for Inter Miami.
Still scoring at 37
At 37, Lewandowski remains one of the most reliable finishers in the game. His move continues a trend of big European names choosing MLS for the final stage of their careers, and Chicago fans will hope he can still deliver goals in the Windy City.
