West Ham have announced the signing of striker Niclas Füllkrug in a deal worth £27 million from Borussia Dortmund.
The 31-year-old has arrived in east London on a four-year contract after starring for Germany at Euro 2024, scoring two goals in five appearances.
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Füllkrug has spent his entire career in German football, playing for Werder Bremen, Greuther Fürth, 1. FC Nürnberg, Hannover 96 and Dortmund.
However, he is expected to play in the Premier League in the 2024/25 season, making him West Ham’s fifth signing this summer.
Upon his arrival, he told West Ham’s website: “I’m delighted to be here and can’t wait to get out on the pitch with my new team-mates.”
“I think the Premier League is the best league in the world and for me it is the right time to move to England and play for a big club like West Ham.
“I’ve been thinking about West Ham for a long time – I know the technical director Tim Steidten very well because we have a shared past at Werder Bremen and I’ve watched a few games and seen how much quality there is in the team.
“The chance to play under the head coach [Lopetegui] is also really exciting.
“His style of play is important to me and I am confident that I can perform at my best under him and score a lot of goals.
“I love being close to my fans and am really looking forward to getting to know the West Ham fans.
“I’m feeling really good at the moment – I’m strong, fit and in shape – and I just want to go out there and start playing for them.”
Although Fullkrug is new to English football, he already seems to have the backing of The Pitch Prospect’s Ally McCoist.
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Speaking about the Euro 2024 stars he would like to see play in the Premier League, he expressed his admiration for West Ham’s new striker.
“I have no doubt he would score goals in the English top flight. I like him.”
“I don’t like to use the term old-fashioned centre-forward. But he is a real centre-forward.”
“He brings people into the game, can get back, is powerful and attacks things in the box. I think he would be a great signing for anyone.”
Füllkrug scored 15 goals in 43 appearances for Dortmund last season and played 21 international matches for Germany, in which he scored 13 goals.
He is West Ham’s latest signing under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, following the arrival of Crysencio Summerville from Leeds at the weekend.
First to arrive was winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras, before goalkeeper Wes Foderingham moved on a free transfer and centre-back Max Kilman signed from Wolves.
West Ham’s spending so far this summer has totalled around £115 million and could rise further.
The Pitch Prospect has learned that the Hammers are still in negotiations with Manchester United over right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has a year left on his contract at Old Trafford.
They are also close to announcing the free transfer arrival of midfielder Guido Rodriguez.