Football club Vancouver Whitecaps secure signing of renowned ex-Bayern Munich forward, Thomas Muller.
Thomas Müller Joins Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Thomas Müller, the highly decorated German forward, has signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, joining the MLS fray for the remainder of the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The announcement was made on August 6, 2025.
Müller, renowned for his tactical intelligence, elite chance creation, and off-the-ball movement, boasts an impressive resume that includes 13 Bundesliga titles, 2 UEFA Champions League trophies, and a 2014 FIFA World Cup win. His signing is expected to significantly boost the Whitecaps' performance, as they strive for MLS playoff success, the Canadian Championship, and aim to capitalise on their recent run to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
However, as the deal is very recent, the direct impact of Müller's performance in MLS matches and the Champions Cup after joining is still emerging and not yet documented in detail. His contribution is anticipated to unfold as the club proceeds through the latter part of the 2025 season and potentially into 2026.
Müller came up through Bayern Munich's academy system and scored 250 goals for the German giants across all competitions. His signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), visa, and work permit.
The Whitecaps acquired Müller's MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati in exchange for up to $400,000 in General Allocation Money. The team has had a strong season so far, with a record of 13-5-6 in the Major League Soccer season.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Jesper Sørensen, the Whitecaps have exceeded expectations, and Müller's arrival is seen as a strategic move to further strengthen the team.
Notably, Müller is the latest international star to join MLS, following in the footsteps of David Beckham, who was one of the first European stars to move to MLS, signing with the L.A. Galaxy in 2007. Beckham remains involved with MLS as an owner of Inter Miami.
In a surprising turn of events, Messi, another international soccer icon, also joined MLS this year, signing with Inter Miami. As of now, Messi leads MLS in scoring with 18 goals on the season.
The Whitecaps' run in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, however, ended in disappointment, as they lost 5-0 to Cruz Azul in the final. Despite this setback, the arrival of Müller is a promising sign for the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Aug. 6, 2025.
[1] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 6). Thomas Müller joins Vancouver Whitecaps FC. [Online]. Available: https://www.thecanadianpress.com/sports/soccer/thomas-muller-joins-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-060825/
[2] Vancouver Whitecaps FC. (2025, August 6). Thomas Müller joins Vancouver Whitecaps FC. [Online]. Available: https://www.whitecapsfc.com/post/2025/08/06/thomas-muller-joins-vancouver-whitecaps-fc
[3] ESPN. (2025, August 6). Thomas Müller signs with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. [Online]. Available: https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4655555/thomas-muller-signs-with-vancouver-whitecaps-fc
Thomas Müller's recent signing with Vancouver Whitecaps FC could potentially aid the club in European league qualification, given his extensive experience in UEFA Champions League.
With Thomas Müller's arrival in MLS, football fans may get to see the German forward compete in the CONCACAF Champions League, a tournament he has not yet participated in.
