Profile: Niclas Füllkrug
The take on ‘The Tank’
Age: 31
Nationality: German
Position: Striker
Transfer fee: £27 million
"I’m delighted to be here, and I can’t wait to get out on the pitch with my new teammates. I think the Premier League is the best league in the world, and for me, it is the right time to move over to England and play for a big club like West Ham".
Sky Sports
Werder Bremen
Füllkrug's formative years were spent honing his skills with local clubs TuS Ricklingen and Sportfreunde Ricklingen. At the age of 14, Füllkrug rejected offers from five Bundesliga clubs to join the Werder Bremen youth academy. In Werder Bremen's reserve team, he scored 10 goals in 26 appearances. He made his Bundesliga debut in 2011. However, he found himself navigating loan spells and transfers, including a stint with Greuther Fürth in the 2013-14 season.
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1. FC Nürnberg and Hannover 96
In 2014, Füllkrug joined 1. FC Nürnberg on a long-term contract. His performances during this period caught the attention of Hannover 96, who secured his services in 2016 for a reported fee of €2 million. A series of knee injuries threatened to derail his progress, including a severe cartilage damage that sidelined him for most the of the 2018-19 season.
Return to Werder Bremen
In April 2019, Füllkrug's journey came full circle as he rejoined his former club, Werder Bremen, in a deal reported to be worth €6.3 million. Although his first season back was hampered by yet another knee injury, Füllkrug's perseverance paid dividends in the 2020-21 campaign, where he showcased his prowess with a sensational hat-trick against Schalke 04.
In the 2021-22 season Füllkrug and fellow striker Marvin Ducksch spearheaded Werder Bremen's charge to promotion, with Füllkrug netting an impressive 19 goals in the 2. Bundesliga. National team coach Hansi Flick extended a call-up to Füllkrug for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Borussia Dortmund
In the 2022-23 season, Füllkrug's 16 goals and a share the Bundesliga top scorer accolade with Christopher Nkunku, earned him a high-profile move to Borussia Dortmund in August 2023, for a reported fee of €13 million. At Dortmund, Füllkrug scored goals in the UEFA Champions League, including strikes against Newcastle United, Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain. His exploits helped propel Dortmund to the Champions League final, where they ultimately fell short against Real Madrid. He finished the season as the club's second-highest league scorer with 12 goals.
Internationals
Füllkrug's international debut for Germany came in November 2022, when he became the oldest outfield player to make his debut for the national team in 20 years, aged 29 years and 280 days. His impact was immediate, as he scored in a friendly against Oman and went on to net crucial goals at the 2022 World Cup, including strikes against Spain and Costa Rica.
West Ham United
On 5 August 2024, Füllkrug joined West Ham United on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee reported to be £27 million. The 31-year-old's physical attributes, outstanding passing, heading, and finishing abilities are expected to add firepower to Julen Lopetegui's attacking arsenal.
For Füllkrug, the decision to join West Ham was influenced by his familiarity with Technical Director Tim Steidten, with whom he had worked during his time at Werder Bremen. Additionally, the German striker expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing under Lopetegui, whose playing style aligns with Füllkrug's strengths and ambitions.
Career Overview
Werder Bremen II (2011-2014)
Matches: 26
Goals: 10
Werder Bremen (2012-2014)
Matches: 23
Goals: 2
Greuther Fürth (Loan) (2013-2014)
Matches: 21
Goals: 6
1. FC Nürnberg (2014-2016)
Matches: 54
Goals: 17
Hannover 96 (2016-2019)
Matches: 75
Goals: 21
Werder Bremen (2019-2023)
Matches: 90
Goals: 45
Borussia Dortmund (2023-2024)
Matches: 29
Goals: 12
West Ham United (2024-Present)
Matches: 0 (as of August 2024)
Goals: 0
Honours
Hannover 96:
· Bundesliga Runner-up: 2016-2017
Germany:
· UEFA European Championship: 2024 (Runner-up)