Report: Robert Lewandowski to join Chicago Fire on two-year deal

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The latest big European name is reportedly on his way to Major League Soccer.Robert Lewandowski has agreed to join the Chicago Fire on a two-year deal, The Athletic reported on Sunday. The deal comes after the Polish international visited the Fire’s facilities earlier this month and met with head coach Gregg Berhalter. Sky Sports previously reported on Lewandowski’s decision to leave Barcelona at the end of his contract.“We’re trying to recruit world-class players,” Berhalter told Up & Adams earlier this month in an interview. “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 [Lionel] Messi in terms of ability, and it’d be great for the city of Chicago.”Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona ended earlier this summer after a four-season stay with the La Liga giants. He tallied 120 goals in 193 appearances for the club, winning three league titles, one Copa Del Rey, and three Spanish SuperCups. After coming up through his native Poland, Lewandowski joined Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2010. Lewandowski notched 103 goals in 187 appearances for the Black and Yellow, helping them win two league titles and two domestic cups, while also reaching the UEFA Champions League Final in 2013.He later moved to Dortmund’s rivals Bayern Munich and proceeded to score 344 goals in 375 appearances for the German giants. Bayern lifted eight Bundesliga titles and 19 trophies in total with Lewandowski playing a major contributor in the squad. On the international level, the 37-year-old has notched 89 goals in 167 caps for Poland, but missed out on the FIFA World Cup this summer. Poland lost in the UEFA Playoffs last spring after going 6-2-2 in qualifying.The Fire will hope that Lewandowski’s arrival will help grow the fanbase ahead of the opening of the club’s new stadium, McDonald’s Park, in 2028. Chicago is currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference and will return to MLS play on July 16.