Old Togetherness With Bayern Munich Ends, Thomas Muller Joins MLS Club

Thomas Muller chose to join Vencouver Whitecaps after leaving Bayern Munich on the dusk of his career (Instagram/@whitecapsfc).

JAKARTA - The legend Bayern Munich and the German National Team (Timnas), Thomas Muller, have completed their move to Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 35-year-old has signed a contract for the remainder of the 2025 season with the Designated Player option for 2026.

Muller, who set a record 756 appearances for Bayern Munich and scored 250 goals, has been linked to a number of clubs in MLS following his departure from the Bundesliga club confirmed in April 2025.

The attacker is considered one of the loyal players. He has been at Bayern Munich since studying at a young age, to be precise in 2000.

He then entered the first team of Die Bayern in 2008 and lasted until this summer.

"I'm looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win the championship. I've heard a lot of great things about this city, but most importantly, I came to win."

"I've been talking with (CEO and Sporting Director Whitecaps), Axel Schuster, and (head coach) Jesper Sorensen."

"Now I can't wait to play in front of the fans and see them come to BC Place on their way to the playoffs," Muller said in a statement.

To sign Muller, Whitecaps struck a deal with the Cincinnati FC to acquire the player's 300,000-dollar discovery rights in general allocation money plus an additional 100,000 US dollars if certain requirements are met.

According to MLS rules, after another team put a player on its list of discoveries, no other team in the league could negotiate with the player.

Although Cincinnati holds the exclusive right to negotiate with Muller, ESPN said the player turned down an offer to join the club in April 2025.

Now, Muller will join Whitecaps in the middle of the ongoing MLS season in hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

Whitecaps are in second place in the Western Region standings with 45 points in 24 matches and recorded 13 wins, five losses, and six draws.

Whitecaps also managed to reach the Concaf Champions Cup final earlier this year, before losing 0-5 to Cruz Azul.

"Thomas is a world-class player. The interpretation of the master space is known for its elite creation of opportunities, unmatched spatial awareness, and tireless movement."

"He not only brought the title of champion and extraordinary football intelligence, but also an tireless work ethic that would lift the entire team."

"Thomas is a natural leader whose passion for football is highly contagious. It is the signing of a statement by our club and owners, a transformative moment for our clubs and cities. We are proud to welcome Thomas in Vancouver," Schuster said.

Muller left the Bundesliga after winning 13 league titles and two Champions League trophies with Bayern Munich.

He also made 131 appearances for his country, winning the 2014 World Cup, before retiring from the national team last year.