Füllkrug is trading BVB for the Premier League
At Borussia Dortmund, Niclas Füllkrug had "an incredibly wonderful time", he says. Nevertheless, the football national player is leaving the Bundesliga club and moving to England. The deal is financially beneficial for Dortmund, but there is pressure to act.
Football national player Niclas Füllkrug is leaving Borussia Dortmund and joining West Ham United in England. The 31-year-old striker has signed a contract until 2028, as announced by the Premier League club. The transfer had been hinted at for days - Füllkrug is leaving the BVB after just one season.
"I'm really happy to be here and can't wait to play with my new teammates," Füllkrug said in a statement from his new club. "I think the Premier League is the best league in the world, and for me, it's the right time to move to England and play for a big club like West Ham."
Füllkrug left the BVB training camp in Switzerland on Saturday morning. "I had an incredibly wonderful time at the BVB. I would like to thank everyone and wish the club and its fantastic fans all the best," Füllkrug said in a BVB statement. Neither club has disclosed the transfer fee, but media reports suggest it is around 30 million euros.
Sahin planned with Füllkrug
The new BVB coach, Nuri Sahin, had made it clear that Füllkrug would play a central role in his plans. However, Dortmund also signed Serhou Guirassy from VfB Stuttgart this summer, who plays in the same position as Füllkrug.
"Niclas is a great player and a really nice guy who quickly identified with the BVB. It was not our plan to let him go this summer. Given an extraordinary offer and his personal desire to take the chance of a long-term contract in the Premier League, we decided to agree to the transfer," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
Reports suggest that the BVB is already looking for a replacement for Füllkrug. Moreover, there are indications that the 19-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko may also leave. His agent has publicly complained about the teenager's role as a reserve. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Moukoko is interested in Olympique Marseille. OSC Lille is also said to be interested.
As a classic center forward in the BVB squad, there is also Sébastien Haller. It is reported that the BVB has increased interest in signing national player Maximilian Beier from TSG Hoffenheim.
Füllkrug only joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen last summer and signed a contract until June 30, 2026. With the BVB, he reached the Champions League final last season and scored 12 goals in the Bundesliga. West Ham finished ninth in the previous season and will not play internationally in 2024/25. The Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui has been in charge of the English club since this summer.
Niclas Füllkrug's move to West Ham United means he will now be playing soccer in the Premier League, widely regarded as the best league in the world. Fuelling speculation about his departure, Füllkrug has signed a contract with West Ham until 2028, leaving Borussia Dortmund after only one season.
