Thomas Muller has joined Vancouver Whitecaps on a deal for the rest of the 2025 season, with an option to sign as a designated player for 2026.
Thomas Muller has brought an end to his 25-year association with Bayern Munich, joining Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The 35-year-old forward’s contract with Bayern expired at the end of last season, and he has opted to take on a new challenge in North America.
The deal includes an option for Vancouver to sign Muller as a designated player (DP) for the 2026 MLS season. This would allow the club to retain Muller’s services beyond the current season, provided they exercise the option.
Vancouver League acquired the discovery priority rights for Muller from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $200,000 in 2025 general allocation money (GAM), $100,000 in 2026 GAM, and a conditional $100,000 in 2026 GAM.
Muller will officially join the club once he receives his international transfer certificate (ITC), visa, and work permit.
The veteran forward is expected to play a key role in Vancouver’s push for a championship. Muller has expressed his excitement about joining the club, stating that he is looking forward to helping the team win a title. He has had positive conversations with the club’s sporting director Axel Schuster and head coach Jesper Sorensen, and is eager to get started.
Muller’s experience and credentials are impressive, with 131 appearances for Germany and 45 goals scored. He lifted the 2014 World Cup and won the Golden Boot as top scorer of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
His trophy cabinet is also filled with two Champions League and 13 Bundesliga titles won during his time at Bayern.
The Whitecaps are currently second in the Western Conference, just a point behind San Diego, with 10 regular season matches remaining. Muller’s arrival could be a significant boost to the team’s chances of making a deep run in the playoffs.
