Muller to leave Bayern after FIFA Club World Cup
Thomas Muller will bring the curtain down on his Bayern Munich career after the FIFA Club World Cup, ending a 25-year stay with the Bavarian giant.
The veteran forward, who joined Bayern as a 10-year-old in 2000, has gone on to make a club record 743 appearances for the club, winning 12 Bundesliga titles, the UEFA Champions League twice and the DFB-Pokal on six occasions.
The 35-year-old hopes to bow out by adding to the 33 trophies he has won with the club.
"It's clear that today is not like any other day for me," he said. "It's been an incredible journey, shaped by unique experiences, great encounters and unforgettable triumphs.
"I feel immense gratitude and joy that I got to make this career with my beloved club. The special connection to the club and our fantastic fans will always remain.
"What I want as a farewell should be clear: titles we can celebrate together, and moments we'll remember fondly for a long time. We're going to give our all in the coming weeks to bring the league title back to Munich. Let's do it together!"
Since making his senior debut in 2008, Muller has registered 322 direct goal involvements in 497 Bundesliga appearances (150 goals, 172 assists), with only Robert Lewandowski (367) recording more in the German top flight.
The forward is the fourth-highest scorer in Bundesliga history, with his 150 goals only bettered by Gerd Muller (365), Lewandowski (238) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (162).
The only player to provide over 100 Bundesliga assists during that time, he has also created a league-high 952 chances.
"The most important thing is that we've found a mutual solution," Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said.
"Thomas Muller is one of the greatest player personalities this club has produced, and therefore, it was important to us to find a fair and amicable agreement.
"Now, we want to work together to ensure that this incredible career is crowned with, hopefully, three more trophies. There are few players that fans still rave about decades after their career. Thomas Muller will be one of them."
"Thomas Muller is the definition of a Bavarian fairytale career; he grew in Bavaria and with Bayern," president Herbert Hainer added.
"Nobody has won more Bundesliga titles, and 33 trophies in total so far speak volumes. He ranks among the most outstanding personalities in FC Bayern history."
