Thomas Müller Signs with Vancouver Whitecaps to Start New MLS Chapter

Thomas Müller, the German football legend, has agreed to sign for the Vancouver Whitecaps. He joins the Canadian club on a two-year deal, beginning a new chapter in Major League Soccer after a trophy-filled career in Europe.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 35-year-old forward will officially become a Whitecaps player from August 1, 2025, after contracts were finalized earlier today. Negotiations concluded with Vancouver buying Müller‘s MLS “discovery rights” from FC Cincinnati for around $400,000 in General Allocation Money. Müller will initially join as a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) player for the rest of this season and is expected to become a Designated Player in 2026. This move ends weeks of speculation regarding Müller’s future after his Bayern Munich contract expired.

Müller leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Germany, boasting 13 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, and a record 756 appearances for Bayern, tallying 250 goals and 276 assists.

THE WHITE CAPS’ SEASON SO FAR

Vancouver are having one of their best campaigns in club history. They sit second in the MLS Western Conference, just one point off first place. In the race for the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the most points across MLS, the Whitecaps trail the leaders by five points. Earlier this year, they reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final, beating Inter Miami in the semifinals before losing to Cruz Azul.

New coach Jesper Sørensen has brought stability, making the team a serious contender for silverware this season. Vancouver’s next fixture is against the San Jose Earthquakes, who are near the bottom of the standings. The Whitecaps are hoping to close the gap and overtake first-place Los Angeles FC in the next few weeks.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?

Müller’s decision to join MLS is a big win for both Vancouver and the league as a whole. The Whitecaps gain a world-class veteran who brings leadership, creativity, and a winning mentality. While Müller will only be able to play as a TAM player for half a season, he is expected to command a Designated Player spot next year. Fans hope his presence will inspire the squad to push for the Supporters’ Shield and make another deep playoff run.

Müller’s move reaffirms MLS’s growing reputation as a destination for top-tier European talent seeking a fresh challenge before retirement.