Thomas Muller Joins Vancouver Whitecaps for 2025 Season
Former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has signed with Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The 35-year-old ended his long-standing association with Bayern Munich at the conclusion of last season when his contract expired, marking the end of a 25-year tenure with the Bundesliga champions.
The agreement with Vancouver includes an option for the club to retain Muller as a designated player (DP) for the 2026 MLS season. Each MLS team is permitted to have three DPs whose salaries do not count against the team's salary cap.
The Whitecaps secured the discovery rights for Muller from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $200,000 (£149,000) in general allocation money (GAM) for 2025, $100,000 (£75,000) in 2026 GAM, and a conditional $100,000 (£75,000) in 2026 GAM.
Muller will officially join the team once his international transfer certificate (ITC), visa, and work permit are finalized.
"I’m looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship," Muller stated. He began his youth career at Bayern in 2000 and has since led the team to two Champions League titles and 13 Bundesliga championships.
"I’ve heard great things about the city, but first and foremost, I’m coming to win. I’ve had great conversations with [sporting director] Axel Schuster and [head coach] Jesper Sorensen, and now I can’t wait to play in front of the supporters and see all the fans come out to BC Place as we head towards the playoffs."
In addition to his club success, Muller has made 131 appearances for the German national team, scoring 45 goals. He lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and was the top scorer at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, winning the Golden Boot.
The Vancouver Whitecaps are currently in second place in the Western Conference, just one point behind San Diego, with 10 regular season matches remaining.