When Thomas Müller departed Bayern Munich as their all-time appearance leader, few expected his next destination to be Vancouver Whitecaps. The Canadian MLS club, often overlooked in favor of bigger American markets, pulled off one of the most surprising transfers of the summer by convincing the German icon to join their project.
Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster admitted even his own team initially doubted their chances. “To be honest, we thought we had no opportunity for a long time,” Schuster revealed in an interview with BILD. “Other, larger MLS clubs had been pursuing Thomas for a while.”
Schuster’s personal connection to German football—as a regular listener of Bayern Munich-focused podcasts—gave him crucial insight. Sensing an opening, he reached out to Müller’s representatives with a bold pitch: Vancouver could offer more than just financial incentives. The response was unexpectedly positive, with Müller’s camp praising the club’s ambition and the city’s appeal.
The turning point: a video call that changed everything
The transfer breakthrough came during the 2025 Club World Cup. Schuster arranged a pivotal video call with Müller. The executive broke the ice with humor, joking that while Vancouver might be a smaller club, they had more experience in transfer negotiations than the one-club legend.
Manager Jesper Sorensen then took charge of the presentation, outlining a clear tactical vision for Müller’s role. Rather than treating him as a marquee name for marketing purposes, Vancouver emphasized how his leadership and footballing intelligence would elevate the team immediately. This football-first approach resonated deeply with the World Cup winner.
A new challenge in MLS
Müller’s decision to choose Vancouver over more established MLS destinations reflects his desire for a meaningful sporting project. The 35-year-old signed an 18-month contract as a Designated Player, with reported earnings of €7 million. His arrival marks a watershed moment for the Whitecaps, proving they can compete for elite talent against MLS heavyweights.
Having spent his entire career at Bayern—making 756 appearances and winning 33 trophies—Müller now embarks on an entirely new chapter. For Vancouver, securing his signature represents not just a coup, but a statement of intent as they aim to climb the MLS hierarchy. The Bundesliga legend’s debut will be one of the most anticipated moments in the league’s 2025 season.
