Thomas Müller was officially unveiled to Vancouver Whitecaps supporters and members of the media on Thursday in Downtown Vancouver. The biggest name in Vancouver sports history was introduced to a room full of press, alumni, and VIP guests. Over 60 accredited media attended, including several international outlets from as far away as Munich.
The signing of Müller is unprecedented for the Whitecaps. A small market team playing in a non-soccer-specific stadium that they don’t own, Vancouver has spent cautiously within their means. While the likes of Inter Miami, NYCFC, LAFC, and Toronto FC have splashed the cash for superstars, Vancouver has never had a globally recognized superstar.
Until now.
Müller mania has begun (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
The Whitecaps have rocketed up the MLS standings this season while balancing a run to the Concacaf Champions Cup final in June.
So the timing to add Müller made perfect sense.
“Everything has to come together,” Whitecaps co-owner Jeff Mallett told Daily Hive on Thursday. “First and foremost, Thomas Müller wanted to come and play here. He respected Jesper [Sørensen], the coaching staff, style of play and the results. He’s here for one reason: football. He believes that we’ve got three trophies that are reachable this year and next. He thinks this is the best place to ply his craft at the highest level.
“He found us.”
The 35-year-old Bayern Munich legend comes to Vancouver not to enjoy a final paycheque, take away the captaincy or playing time from his new teammates. Müller still has that competitive fire to help lift the Whitecaps to a major trophy.
He says he chose Vancouver because he wants to win.
“It was time for a little bit of an adventure,” Müller said at his introductory press conference. “An adventure for me is only interesting when it’s about having the chance to go for titles. If you watch the Vancouver Whitecaps this season and the development in the last years, there is a chance. Not only this year, but also next year.”
“I want to be on the pitch as soon as possible.” Thomas Müller.#VWFC#MLS pic.twitter.com/WZWNvTZ6Ww
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) August 14, 2025
Müller is motivated to win titles and the battle to compete to earn a spot. His competitive nature and love for soccer is his passion. In his first full day in Vancouver, he’s already shown how special this moment is to him and the fans who have welcomed him.
“To be honest, I’m very proud,” Müller said. “To be in that position with a warm welcome it’s a special day for me today to be here to get to this journey. I have a feeling that if you (win) something big here for the city, the people, then you can create really, really good things. I want to take my part for this journey with Jesper and the team, and we’ll see what comes at the end of the season.”
Thomas Müller with a #VWFC kit. #MLS pic.twitter.com/snjv7P4v6m
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) August 14, 2025
The reception that Müller has received has shown just how much it means to Whitecaps supporters to have a superstar player wearing the Whitecaps blue and white. Jersey sales and ticket sales have had a massive spike ever since Müller’s was linked to Vancouver.
Fans, players, and staff aren’t the only ones who have been blown away by the scale of enthusiasm and interest shown for Müller.
“It’s been off the charts for me too,” Mallett said. “It really truly is what we expected, which is someone of his stature is going to wake up everybody in the football community around the world.”
Müller mania is expected to pick up on Friday when the Whitecaps are back on the training pitch ahead of Sunday’s match against the Houston Dynamo. If there are no hiccups this weekend, Müller will make his Whitecaps and MLS debut at BC Place on Sunday.
“I hope for a very warm welcome on Sunday in the stadium,” Müller said. “I know that a player with my career coming to Vancouver brings a little bit of hype and we want to stay on the hype train as long as possible.
“Dear supporters at home, come to the stadium and give your best. We want to create something special for the Whitecaps this season and the city.”