The most famous athlete signed to a Vancouver professional sports team is arguably no longer a Canuck.
The Vancouver Whitecaps confirmed recent rumours on Wednesday, Aug. 6, announcing the signing of German soccer star Thomas Müller.
The 35-year-old attacking midfielder has played for Bayern Munich since 2008, becoming the legendary European team's leader in appearances.
Müller has been a central part of the team's success for more than a decade; during that time Bayern won the Bundesliga – the top-tier German league and one of the top leagues worldwide – more than a dozen times, the UEFA Champions League (arguably the biggest club tournament worldwide) twice, and the UEFA Super Cup twice.
As a part of the German national team, he was an integral part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup winning team. At the World Cup, he also won the Golden Boot for being the top scorer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and best young player (also in 2010).
"This is a statement signing by our club and our ownership – a transformative moment for our club and our city. We are proud to welcome Thomas to Vancouver,” said Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster.
The Whitecaps are having a strong season this year. They currently sit second in the Western Conference of the MLS. Müller is expected to join the team before the end of 2025.
“I’m looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship,” said Müller. “I’ve heard great things about the city, but first and foremost I’m coming to win."
It's possible he heard great things about Vancouver from Alphonso Davies. The Canadian star currently plays with Bayern Munich; he moved to the German team after playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps as a teenager.
