Thomas Müller was on the training ground at Säbener Straße on Wednesday. However, the Bayern legend is set to be presented in Vancouver as early as Friday.
It’s a brief comeback for FC Bayern. Thomas Müller trained at Säbener Straße on Wednesday, causing quite a few puzzled looks. If everything goes smoothly, however, he is set to be presented at Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday.
The transfer coup is largely thanks to Axel Schuster. The Cologne native, who started as sporting director in Vancouver in November 2019 and was promoted to club boss in October 2022, brokered the deal. Because FC Cincinnati had the right of first refusal, a “transfer fee” had to be paid from Canada. Reports suggest around 345,000 euros. The MLS management is even said to have intervened and exerted gentle pressure on Cincinnati to get Müller across the pond.
Müller’s contract is set to run until the end of 2026, which means he would also play the entire 2026 MLS season. His salary during this period is likely to significantly exceed the maximum allowed $743,750 per season. Because the 2014 World Cup winner will receive one of the three “designated player” spots allowed per club, he does not fall under the $5.95 million per team limit and can earn an unlimited salary.
Müller will be joining a well-functioning organization. The Whitecaps, one of three Canadian teams among the 30 MLS clubs, are currently second in the Western Conference and clearly on course for the playoffs after 25 of 34 matchdays. Champions LA Galaxy, featuring Marco Reus, are currently bottom of the same division, while the team from St. Louis, with its German “block,” are second from bottom.
Müller has a few days to settle in: he is set to make his debut in his new jersey on August 10 (4:30 a.m.) in an away game against the San Jose Earthquakes. His first appearance at BC Place is scheduled for August 17, when Houston Dynamo will be the visiting team.
Stadium unsuitable for the World Cup? – Club up for sale
Meanwhile, the ambitious Vancouver club is not without its worries. MLS boss Don Garber considers BC Place Stadium (54,500 seats), where the team has played since 2011 and which is also planned as a venue for the 2026 World Cup, to be unsuitable. Müller will play on artificial turf in the arena with a retractable roof; natural turf will only be laid for the World Cup.
In addition, the club’s four owners, including former NBA superstar Steve Nash, have been offering the club for sale since December. One of the reasons is said to be that they fought in vain to build their own soccer-compatible stadium. It is therefore not out of the question that the Whitecaps will be “transplanted” to another city. The MLS club only has 17 fixed match dates available at BC Place Stadium.
