Thomas Müller says his expertise communicate for themselves. The primary factor he desires Vancouver Whitecaps supporters to learn about his switch to the Main League Soccer membership is that he’s “totally into it.”
The Whitecaps pulled off the largest signing in membership historical past, including the 2014 World Cup champion and longtime Bayern Munich star to a membership that has spent your entire season pushing for prime spot within the Western Convention.
“They (followers) can count on that I’m all the time 100 per cent,” Müller mentioned in a video offered by the membership. “You’ll be able to watch my expertise in YouTube movies or a number of TV reveals, however you may count on that I’m totally into it. And for me, that’s a very powerful half.”
The membership introduced the transfer Wednesday. Whereas a greenback determine was not disclosed, Müller has signed for the rest of the 2025 season with a Designated Participant choice for 2026.
Müller is anticipated to reach in Vancouver subsequent Wednesday, along with his first coaching session set for Thursday.
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Müller helped lead Germany to the 2014 World Cup title, scoring 5 targets within the match. He had additionally gained the Golden Boot on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, ending with 5 targets and three assists.
He’ll occupy a global roster slot and is anticipated to take one of many membership’s vacant spots on the season-ending harm checklist, pending receipt of his Worldwide Switch Certificates (ITC), visa and work allow.
The 35-year-old attacking midfielder got here up by way of Bayern Munich’s academy and spent 17 years with the German Bundesliga facet.
He scored 250 targets for Bayern throughout all competitions and helped the workforce to 13 league championships, however his contract was not renewed after final season.
“Our strategy was solely going after the soccer participant Thomas Müller, and never his massive title, his model, his well-known face,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster mentioned in a video.
“We wished to persuade him within the space that excites him probably the most,” Schuster added. “He loves this sport a lot, and he desires to proceed as a result of he desires to play the sport.
“The whole lot else got here for us second, and we solely began that after he mentioned ‘Sure, I’m in.’”
Müller talked with former teammate Alphonso Davies in regards to the membership and the town after deciding to make the transfer to Vancouver. Davies, a star participant with Bayern and captain of Canada’s nationwide workforce, began his profession as a youngster with the Whitecaps earlier than becoming a member of the German powerhouse in January 2019.
“He instructed me numerous good issues in regards to the metropolis and the Whitecaps,” mentioned Müller. “So I used to be a bit bit pumped, however the resolution was made.
“I didn’t want Alphonso’s opinion, however it was necessary for me simply to double-check.”
To finish the signing, the Whitecaps acquired Müller’s MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati in trade for as much as $400,000 in Common Allocation Cash.
He joins a Whitecaps (13-5-6) workforce that has spent a lot of the Main League Soccer season hovering across the prime of the Western Convention standings.
Below first-year head coach Jesper Sorensen, the membership has exceeded expectations this 12 months, not solely in league play, however by making it to the ultimate of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the place they fell 5-0 to LIGA MX facet Cruz Azul.
Müller mentioned he’s trying ahead to working with Sorensen.
“He has an important mindset,” Müller mentioned. “You are feeling it whenever you speak with him. He’s very clear what he desires.”
Müller is the newest worldwide star to make the soar to MLS.
Argentine ahead Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 following a protracted profession with Barcelona and a stint at Paris Saint-Germain. The 38-year-old presently leads MLS in scoring with 18 targets on the season.
English midfielder David Beckham was one of many first European stars to maneuver to MLS. He signed with the L.A. Galaxy in 2007 after taking part in for prime golf equipment resembling Manchester and Actual Madrid, and gained the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012.
Beckham stays concerned with the league as an proprietor of Inter Miami.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
