Poland international striker Robert Lewandowski has agreed to a two-year contract with the Chicago Fire and will join the Major League Soccer club this summer, sources told The Athletic. The 37-year-old will rank among the league's highest-paid players.

Lewandowski becomes a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Barcelona. He visited Chicago earlier this month as he evaluated his options.

The Fire are targeting a July 16 debut for Lewandowski against Vancouver, in the league's return to play ahead of the World Cup final. The club hopes to complete his signing and immigration paperwork quickly to meet that timeline.

"We're trying to recruit world-class players," said Chicago Fire director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter. "We think (Lewandowski would) be a great signing not only for the Chicago Fire, but for the league, to have a player of that caliber. We see him right up there with Messi in terms of ability, and it'd be great for the city of Chicago."

The Fire plan to pair Lewandowski with Neal Cuypers, the league's leading scorer, in what would become one of MLS's most potent attacking combinations.

Lewandowski's arrival also increases Chicago's chances of landing former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, with whom he played in Germany. The Fire remain in discussions with the 31-year-old German international, though Goretzka also has interest from European clubs.

Lewandowski built his decorated career across Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, winning 10 Bundesliga titles, three LaLiga titles and the 2020 Champions League with Bayern.

The signing adds to a growing list of global stars in MLS following Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, alongside Antoine Griezmann in Orlando, Thomas Muller in Vancouver and Son Heung-min in Los Angeles.