Chicago Fire FC Acquires Robert Lewandowski as Designated Player

Can a 37-year-old striker still transform a Major League Soccer franchise? Chicago Fire FC found out on June 29, 2026, when it acquired Robert Lewandowski as a Designated Player.

Lewandowski comes from FC Barcelona, where he helped secure the La Liga title in May 2026. The Polish forward carries credentials few can match: more than 700 goals for club and country, Poland’s all-time leading goal scorer, and a force across Europe’s elite leagues. He topped the scoring charts in Germany and Spain for eight seasons.

His collection of silverware tells the story of a career spent at the game’s highest level. At Bayern Munich, Lewandowski claimed 10 Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokal trophies, and six DFL-Super Cups. The German club also gave him the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Barcelona brought three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and three Supercopas. On the individual stage, he earned the Best FIFA Men’s Player award twice—in 2020 and 2021—and Polish Footballer of the Year a record 13 times.

The statistics reveal his relentless productivity. In 253 appearances for Bayern Munich, Lewandowski scored 238 goals, standing as the Bundesliga’s all-time leading foreign scorer. He belongs to a select group of just three players to reach 100 goals at three different clubs and sits third on the all-time UEFA Champions League scoring list.

Poland’s national team has benefited equally. Since 2008, Lewandowski has earned 167 caps and scored 89 goals—a national record. He captained Poland starting in 2013 and featured in two FIFA World Cups and four UEFA European Championships.

His Chicago contract runs through the 2027-28 MLS season, and he becomes the eighth Polish-born player in franchise history.

The arrival comes as Chicago builds momentum. Last year the Fire scored a club-record 68 goals, second-best in MLS, and made the playoffs for the first time in years—their first postseason victory since 2009. Heading into June 2026, they sit third in the Eastern Conference.

The club is also investing in its foundation. The Endeavor Health Performance Center opened in 2025, and McDonald’s Park, a purpose-built soccer stadium, is under construction and set to launch in 2028.