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The biggest signing in Vancouver’s sporting history was announced on Tuesday morning, bringing a global star to the largest city in British Columbia.
It’s been quite a fun summer thus far if you’re a fan of Vancouver sports as the Canucks have been very active trying to build their team into a contender for a playoff spot next season, acquiring forward Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers and somehow finding a way to re-sign Brock Boeser to a long-term contract.
Elsewhere around the city’s sporting landscape and it’s been an enjoyable summer as the MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps sit second in the Western Conference standings with 13 wins in 24 games.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canadians – High-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, finished the first half of the season with the best record in the Northwest League standings and are currently fourth in the second half at 15-15, while the CFL’s BC Lions have a 3-5 record through eight games, good for fourth in the West Division.
On Tuesday morning, some big news was announced for one of Vancouver’s professional sporting teams as the arrival of a legend later this week has shocked fans across the city, giving them hope of a potential championship in the months ahead.
Biggest signing in Vancouver’s sporting history announced on Tuesday
In a post on social media on Tuesday morning, Tom Bogert of CBS Sports Golazo announced that the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer are close to agreeing to a deal with former FIFA World Cup champion Thomas Muller, acquiring his Discovery Rights from FC Cincinnati.
“💣 BREAKING: The Vancouver Whitecaps are finalizing a deal to sign Thomas Müller, per sources.
Agreement in principle on discovery rights. @ManuelVeth 1st.
Cincy will receive up to around $400k GAM for rights. Final steps/formalities.” Bogert said.
The news was confirmed a short while later by soccer’s biggest insider, Fabrizio Romano, who added that it’s a two-year deal between the German forward and the Vancouver Whitecaps, with Muller officially giving the green light this morning.
“🚨Thomas Müller to Vancouver Whitecaps, here we go! Deal done for German legend to join MLS side.
Two year deal in place for Müller who won’t retire and starts new chapter in MLS as he wanted.
Deal agreed as @TomBogert and BILD reported, Müller said yes today.” Romano said.
Muller, 35, is a 13-time Bundesliga champion & two-time winner of the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich, making 503 appearances with them between 2008 and 2025, scoring 150 goals.
On the international stage, Muller starred for the German National Team, helping them win the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and in 2010, took home the Golden Boot as tournament’s top goal scorer and was named Best Young Player as Germany finished in third place.
Throughout his international stage, Muller made 131 appearances for Germany, third in the nation’s history, while scoring 45 goals, good enough for fourth on the federation’s all-time list.
While the Vancouver Canucks have had their fair share of big signings over the course of their franchise history, including Mark Messier in 1997 and Mats Sundin in 2008, but neither come close to the Whitecaps landing Thomas Muller, as Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 radio said today.
“There is no real hockey comparable that can accurately illustrate the magnitude of Thomas Muller coming to the Whitecaps. This isn’t like Sundin, or Messier, or anything we’ve ever seen in Vancouver sports history. It’s bigger.” Batchelor said.
The Vancouver Whitecaps are expected to make the signing of Thomas Muller official on Friday and early reports suggest he could make his debut with the club on Sunday, August 17th at BC Place against the Houston Dynamo.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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Biggest Signing in Vancouver Sports History Has Been Officially Announced on Tuesday Morning
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