German star Thomas Muller returning to Vancouver Whitecaps for 2026

Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller shows his appreciation to Vancouver fans after Inter Miami defeated Vancouver during the MLS Cup final soccer match, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, December 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Thomas Müller is officially returning to the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2026.

The Major League Soccer club announced Monday it has exercised an option to keep the German soccer legend next season.

The news comes after the ‘Caps fell 3-1 to Inter Miami on Saturday in their first MLS Cup final.

Müller originally signed with Vancouver on Aug. 6 following 17 seasons with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga where he scored 250 goals for Bayern across all competitions and helped the team to 13 league championships.

He also helped lead Germany to the 2014 FIFA World Cup title, scoring five goals in the tournament, and won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finishing with five goals and three assists.

In his first MLS campaign, the 36-year-old attacking midfielder had seven goals and three assists over seven regular-season appearances, then scored once in five playoff games.

He quickly injected a creative playmaking ability and a charismatic presence that impressed soccer fans and charmed onlookers.

After Saturday’s loss to Miami, Müller said he and the rest of the team still have a lot to give.

“We will come back stronger next season,” he said.

“Nobody expected a season like that one year ago. Maybe it’s not the right moment to talk about next year, but I still feel that our process is not at the top. We are on our way up. We have a young group, a very young group, a very talented group and a very hungry group. You know how it is with the big losses — it gains a lot of energy for the future.”

Earlier Monday, the Whitecaps announced they had extended backup goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer through 2027 with a club option for 2028.

Boehmer, 24, has made 18 appearances across all competitions since joining the MLS team in 2020.

He started all 10 of Vancouver’s Canadian Championship games in 2024 and 2025, helping the team win titles both years.

Boehmer also made two starts in the CONCACAF Champions Cup this season as the Whitecaps earned a spot in the final before falling to Cruz Azul.

Vancouver’s other season-ending roster moves include exercising options on midfielders Ali Ahmed and Sebastian Berhalter, defenders Mathias Laborda and Ralph Priso, forward J.C. Ngando and goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas.

The club opted not to pick up options on goalkeeper Max Anchor, defender goalkeeper Mark O’Neill, and forwards Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau and Daniel Rios.

The ‘Caps said in a release they are in ongoing contract talks with starting goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and defender Belal Halbouni.

“We’ve been building this team over several years, and the majority of our players will return in 2026 to build on the strong foundation we’ve established,” sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release.

“Although our record-breaking season just ended, preparations for pre-season and roster planning for 2026 have been underway for months, and we’re ready to hit the ground running in January.”

This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2025.