CAPITAL GAIN FOR HIBS NEW BOY MUELLER
CHRIS MUELLER grew up in a town ranked one of the top 10 best neighbourhoods in all of the United States.
But this American’s dream was always to live it large in Europe.
The new Hibs forward hails from the Illinois village of Schaumburg, a leafy, up-market suburb 30 miles from Chicago famous for its theme park and shopping mall.
In 2017, it was ranked the ninth best place to live in the States by the influential Money magazine.
Yet for all the wealth and comfort around him during his childhood, the 25-yearold former Orlando ace admits he always felt an itch calling him away from his hometown.
He said: “As a kid I felt like I belonged in European football, especially at a club like Hibs with a deep history, culture, and fan base that care deeply about the game.
“I believe I was meant to be somewhere where they live, breathe and die football because that’s how I live my life.
“I am two years older than Christian Pulisic but we’re the same generation and what he’s done really inspires me. His move from the US to Dortmund and now Chelsea has been huge for other Americans.
“So now a lot of US talent dream of going to Europe to further their career, myself included, and thankfully the Hibs move makes that a reality for me.
“Hibs had interest and were keen to get me here. I spoke to people at the club, and I was buzzing about the whole thing in general.
“When they told me about the city, the club and the supporters, I was really excited about it.”
Mueller touched down in Edinburgh last month but it’s been a turbulent start to his life in Scotland.
First the man who signed him, Jack Ross, was axed before he’d even kicked a ball for his new club.
Then his hopes of making his debut against Hearts in the January 2 Edinburgh derby were dashed when SPFL chiefs ordered an early winter break as Omicron hit.
Mueller now hopes to make his Hibs bow when the Leith side head to Celtic Park on January 17.
New boss Shaun Maloney is set to line-up a series of closed-door bounce games to ensure Mueller – who hasn’t played since late November – is up to speed.