Former Hibs winger forced into retirement aged 30 as 'Sunshine on Leith' referenced in farewell speech
Attacker spent five months at Easter Road
Former Hibs winger Chris Mueller referenced club anthem ‘Sunshine on Leith’ in his emotional farewell speech to football after being forced into early retirement due to health issues.
Last year, the 30-year old was diagnosed with pericarditis, ending his season for MLS side Chicago Fire. While the twice capped former USA international slowly made his way back to the grass for the 2026 campaign, recent recurring flare ups have forced him into calling time on his decade-long career.
Hibs announced the free transfer of Mueller on a pre-contract agreement in July 2021 from Orlando City - where he made his name stateside. The winger joined the Edinburgh club six months later, making his first of 15 appearances against Cove Rangers in the Scottish Cup. His first and only goal for the Hibees came in the same competition against Arbroath in a 3-1 away victory at Gayfield.
‘Thank you to my Hibees’
After five months at Easter Road, Mueller returned to his homeland in May 2022 to sign for Chicago Fire, where he has been ever since. While announcing his retirement via the club’s X account, in a six-minute long heartfelt farewell, the former Hibee found time to reflect on his short time in Leith and included a line from the iconic Hibs anthem ‘Sunshine on Leith’ by The Proclaimers.
He said: “Thank you to my Hibees. Although short-lived, it was another stage of my career that I’d dreamt about as a kid. Living in Edinburgh and playing in some of the most hostile stadiums and derbies was storybook stuff. ‘While I’m worth my room on this earth, I will be with you.’ Thank you for giving me that opportunity.”
Mueller started in two Edinburgh Derbies during his Hibs spell - a goalless draw at Easter Road and 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle. Former boss Jack Ross was a long-time admirer of the winger before signing him. As the winger penned his pre-contract agreement, he said: “Chris is an exciting talent. He has an impressive mindset both as an athlete and a person.”
Health concern cuts Mueller’s career short
Pericarditis is inflammation of the lining of the heart, which can cause symptoms such as sharp chest pain, shortness of breath and fever. Following his diagnosis, Mueller continued to fight his condition, but setback after setbacks made it more and more challenging for him to get back to his best. It’s for this reason he decided to call time on his career, for the betterment of himself and his family.
He announced: “This decision has not come easily, without real challenge, hefty consideration and serious contemplation. Although ultimately, I’ve come to grips with my choice and I can rest assured knowing it’s one that aligns with my deepest value - a man who wants above all to do right by my family and myself. That decision is to formally announce my retirement from playing professional football.
“After spending the past two years battling back from six-plus flares of recurrent pericarditis - the ups and downs, the ins and outs, the fears and worries of fighting back for weeks and months at a time, trying to regain my fitness and confidence to get back to my best - I was ultimately continuously drawn back by another flare. It’s a reality I’ve had no control over which has brought this decision to fruition much sooner than I anticipated as a player who turned 30 less than a week ago and very well coud’ve been entering my prime years in another life.”