Thomas Mueller Joins Vancouver Whitecaps: A New Chapter in MLS

Thomas Mueller, the esteemed former forward for Germany and Bayern Munich, has inked a season-long contract with Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps, announced the Canadian club on Wednesday.

Mueller, who will celebrate his 36th birthday next month, chose to depart Bayern Munich after an illustrious 25-year career with the Bundesliga champions. His accomplishments include 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League victories. Mueller's new agreement with Vancouver extends through the 2025 season, with the club retaining an option to keep him for 2026 as a Designated Player, allowing them to pay him a premium outside the league's salary cap.

Expressing his ambitions, Mueller stated, 'I'm looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship. I've heard great things about the city, but first and foremost I'm coming to win.' Axel Schuster, Whitecaps CEO and sporting director, hailed the move as transformative for both the club and city. As Mueller is set to arrive in Vancouver on August 13, the team currently stands second in the Western Conference and is preparing for an upcoming match against San Jose Earthquakes.

(With inputs from agencies.)