Thomas Muller was given a rousing welcome upon his arrival in Canada ahead of his unveiling at Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps, Afrosport reports.
The former Germany international departed Bayern Munich at the end of last season following the expiration of his contract, bringing to an end a remarkable 25-year association with the Bundesliga giants.
He will play out the remainder of the 2025 campaign with Vancouver, and the agreement also includes an option for the 35-year-old to be registered as a Designated Player (DP) for the 2026 MLS season. The Whitecaps secured his discovery priority rights from FC Cincinnati in a deal worth $200,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), $100,000 in 2026 GAM, and a conditional $100,000 in 2027 GAM.
Vancouver, you made Müller feel right at home. 💙#VWFC x #TM13 pic.twitter.com/TJYOt2xKa7
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) August 14, 2025
Landing at Vancouver International Airport in the early hours of Thursday, Muller was welcomed by indigenous leaders from the Musqueam Indian Band, who honoured him with a traditional drum march and a welcome speech from Chief Wayne Sparrow.
The forward posed for photographs and signed autographs for fans proudly waving flags and donning Germany, Bayern and Vancouver shirts. He joins an illustrious list of high-profile arrivals in MLS, following the likes of David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Having passed through Bayern’s youth ranks before making his senior debut in 2008, Muller went on to score 250 goals in over 750 appearances for the club. His successful career with the Bavarians produced 33 trophies, including 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League triumphs.
Ahead of his anticipated MLS debut against Houston Dynamo on Sunday, the German is expected to be officially unveiled by the Whitecaps before joining his new team-mates in training on Friday.
The Whitecaps are currently second in Western Conference and fifth in general standings, and are in the semi-final in the Canadian Championship.
