The wait is over, Thomas Müller is a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
After more than a week of speculation, the 35-year-old German star officially signed with the Whitecaps on Wednesday. He’s scheduled to land in Vancouver next week, and perhaps play as soon as the Whitecaps’ next home match on Aug. 17.
Many star players have come to Major League Soccer from Europe, but Müller is the first to choose Vancouver.
So how did the Whitecaps get it done?
How did the Whitecaps sign Müller?
Done deal (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster had been in contact with Müller’s agents well before the possibility of joining Vancouver came up.
The process of signing Müller was complicated due to FC Cincinnati holding his MLS discovery rights and LAFC showing their own interest in signing Müller. Schuster continued to regularly check in with his agents.
“I contacted his agent and said, what’s going on, is he not coming?” Schuster told reporters on Wednesday afternoon following Whitecaps training. “At that time, I was more curious and more open to help them and hoping there might be a door opening for us.”
The door was wide open.
Vancouver paid a few of up to $400,000 to Cincinnati for Müller’s discovery rights, allowing the team to sign him. It then took about a week for the total package of the deal to be completed and another two to three weeks to draft all the details of the signing.
The first contact between the Whitecaps, Müller and his agents was four to five weeks ago. There were four conversations and one meeting with Müller and his reps. Müller’s multiple sponsorship deals added a complicated wrinkle to the process that needed to be ironed out.
“Writing those contracts and also having a player who has such valuable image rights takes some time,” Schuster said. “Tax lawyers, legal counsel from three countries, three parties involved. I always say, lawyers’ main job is to overcomplicate things, so it took a little longer.”
Where will Müller play?
Müller will wear No. 13, the same number he wears for Germany (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen has a bevy of options when it comes to slotting Müller into the starting lineup. Affectionately known as the “Raumdeuter,” meaning the interpreter of space, Müller could play in behind striker Brian White, as a box-to-box central midfielder, or slightly off the wing, gliding into open spots around the attacking front.
“The highest line or just underneath,” Sørensen said of where Müller will play. “He’s a player that we know about his finishing qualities in the box. He’s good with his head, he can finish with both feet, and he’s very good at getting to chances with his timing entering the box. Also, he’s good at providing for others, and getting him up and around the area where we can score is very important.
“He has a lot of good qualities. We need him where he can make the biggest difference. If it should be in the highest line or underneath, it’s something that we’re going to figure out.”
A decision about how much Müller will play in his debut will be determined closer to the match, though Müller will have two full training sessions with the Whitecaps before Aug. 17. The Whitecaps don’t want to rush him, but they understand the urgency and the importance of having Müller available for selection with 10 MLS matches remaining.
“He can roll out of bed and play football,” Sørensen said. “I don’t know at what level, but he can definitely [play]. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’ll get on the pitch as fast as possible because we don’t have that many games left. I think it’s important to get him into the team as soon as possible.”
Another new player on the way
Müller isn’t the only new player set to join the Whitecaps.
Peruvian international Kenji Cabrera is expected to arrive in Vancouver on Thursday, thanks to the completion of his international transfer certificate, visa, and work permit. The 22-year-old midfielder will undergo medicals this weekend and will train with his new team next week.
Is another big move coming for the Whitecaps?
Vancouver could be looking to add more reinforcements before the MLS secondary transfer window closes on Aug. 21. Season-ending injuries to Sam Adekugbe and Ranko Veselinovic have put an emphasis on adding defensive depth.
Schuster would ideally like to sign two more players who add flexibility to the roster. This could come via an MLS trade or perhaps a target from outside of the league. Vancouver has an available international roster spot should they require one.