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Thomas Müller mobbed by Whitecaps fans at Vancouver airport

Har Johal
Har Johal
|
Aug 14 2025, 4:09 am
Thomas Müller mobbed by Whitecaps fans at Vancouver airport
Thomas Müller has touched down at YVR (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

It was pandemonium at YVR on Thursday afternoon as Vancouver Whitecaps fans turned out in droves to welcome global superstar Thomas Müller. 

The excitement started early in the day when Whitecaps fans began tracking Müller’s Lufthansa flight from Munich as it prepared to land at Vancouver International Airport at 4:55 p.m. PDT. 

As soon as Müller came through the international arrival doors, he was met by members of the Musqueam Nation, including Chief Wayne Sparrow. The two shared a joke as they walked the corridor with cameras flashing and fans waiting to greet the German icon.

The atmosphere was electric with more than 600 Whitecaps fans at YVR. The crowd began chanting Müller’s name as he got closer to the international arrivals waiting area. 

The 35-year-old German was all smiles and joked with fans who had been waiting hours to see him. Müller stopped to sign dozens of autographs and pose for pictures with fans. 

The third and final stop of Müller’s tour of YVR was White Spot, where 250 fans were gathered, as the team bought out the restaurant for Müller’s arrival. Whitecaps supporter groups even had a brand-new song to serenade the one and only Raumdetuter. 

Müller spent 15 minutes at White Spot talking with fans and taking selfies.

“I think it’s the warmest welcome any new player has got,” said Peter Czimmermann, president of the Vancouver Southsiders supporters group. “It’s exciting to see so many faces in Whitecaps jerseys, some of them with Müller on their back. It’s just a fantastic feeling.”  

It’s going to be a busy first 24 hours in Vancouver for Müller. He will undergo medical testing on Thursday morning before his introductory press conference with local media. 

The Whitecaps will return home from Hamilton, Ont., in the early hours of Thursday, following a 2-2 first leg semi-final draw against Canadian Premier League side Forge. 

Players will have Thursday off before returning to the training pitch on Friday, where Müller will have his first training session with his new Whitecaps teammates.

The lower bowl at BC Place is expected to sell out on Sunday, as Müller is set to make his MLS debut against the Houston Dynamo.

What can fans expect to see from the former Bayern Munich star? 

“He’s going to score goals,” Czimmermann said. “He’s going to set up goals. He’s going to be the brain on the field along with Gauld when he gets back. I think his experience in the locker room is going to bring a lot of value.”  

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