German superstar Thomas Müller joins Vancouver Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps' long-rumoured acquisition of German legend Thomas Müller has finally become a reality.

The Whitecaps teased the announcement on social media, first posting a photo showing a Trans Canada Highway sign pointing to "Vancoüver" with the caption "Here we go," followed in quick succession by a minute-long video in which Müller holds up his #13 Whitecaps jersey and states "Whitecaps, let's make history."

The longtime Bayern Munich star and World Cup champion has signed for the remainder of the 2025 season with an option for 2026, and will officially join the roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, visa and work permit, according to the Whitecaps.

"I'm excited to meet the team and my new teammates," said Müller in a statement. "I think everybody knows that the city of Vancouver is very beautiful, worldwide known, but, as well, the Whitecaps are reaching for something special this year."

The Whitecaps sit one point behind San Diego FC for top spot in the Major League Soccer Western Conference standings with 10 regular-season games remaining, six of those at home at B.C. Place. 

Müller is scheduled to arrive in Vancouver next Wednesday, Aug. 13, with his introductory media conference and first training session on the following day. 

"On the pitch, he is one of the most intelligent players that we have right now in this decade of soccer," said Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster. 

"He's won so many titles, literally every title that you can win with the club he was on. We were joking that a few titles that he is still missing are the Canadian Championship [and] MLS Cup." 

The 35-year-old attacking midfielder has more appearances than any other player at Bayern, leading the club to two UEFA Champions League titles and 13 Bundesliga titles, including the championship this past season.

Internationally, he has tallied 131 caps, 45 goals and 41 assists for Germany, and helped his home nation win the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

WATCH | German ambassador to Canada delighted over Müller signing: 

German ambassador to Canada ecstatic over Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Müller signing

46 minutes ago

Duration 6:56

In what must have been the worst-kept secret in Vancouver's sports world, the Whitecaps of the MLS announced Wednesday that they have signed German superstar Thomas Müller from Bayern Munich. Matthias Lüttenberg, Germany's ambassador to Canada, said he was used to having the occasional German playing hockey — but Müller is the first "shining star" to come over in the soccer world.

Müller said conversations with ex-Bayern teammate and former Whitecap Alphonso Davies helped cement his decision to come to Vancouver.

"I talked to Alphonso. He told me a lot of good things about the city and about the Whitecaps, so I was a little bit pumped," he said.

The Müller announcement is another high point in a surprising season that has seen the Whitecaps challenge for top spot in the league and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, the regional crown for the best team in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

However, the future of the Whitecaps in Vancouver remains up in the air. Last year, the owners announced they were preparing to sell the club amid dissatisfaction with B.C. Place as the club's home stadium. 

In a statement Wednesday, Schuster said the Whitecaps owners — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Nash — continue to work on solutions for keeping the club in Vancouver.

"With the discussions we had recently about a new stadium project, and now with doing such a commitment signing, I think we underline that what we have said already, that nothing is changing, we are continuing to build this club," said Schuster.