- Füllkrug moves from Dortmund to the "best league in the world"
Niclas Füllkrug was greeted at his new club with the famous announcement from the London Underground, but with a slight twist. "Mind the Lücke" instead of "Mind the gap", wrote the media department of West Ham United on social media to confirm the transfer. "Beware of the gap." The German national football player with that very nickname is leaving Borussia Dortmund for England after just one year, stating that it is "the best league in the world."
"I'm really excited and can hardly wait to stand on the pitch with my new teammates," the striker said in a club statement. The 31-year-old has signed a long-term contract until 2028, whereas he was only bound to the BVB until 2026. "For me, it's the right time to move to England and play for a big club like West Ham," said Füllkrug.
Both clubs did not disclose the transfer fee, but media reports suggest it to be around 30 million euros. Füllkrug knows the technical director of his new club, Tim Steidten, from their time together at Werder Bremen.
"The chance to play under the head coach (Julen Lopetegui) is also very exciting," said Füllkrug. "His playing style is important to me, and I'm confident that I can give my best and score many goals under him." The striker was the Spanish coach's top target. However, West Ham will not play internationally in the upcoming season, which should not be a problem for Füllkrug as there is no major tournament in the summer of 2025 that he would need to qualify for with the national team.
BVB did not want to let Füllkrug go
The new BVB coach Nuri Sahin had made it clear that Füllkrug would play a central role in his plans. However, Dortmund had 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 good guy who has quickly identified with the BVB. It was not our plan to let him go this summer. However, in light of an extraordinary offer and his personal desire to take the chance of a long-term contract in the Premier League, we have decided to agree to the transfer," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
Only two center forwards left?
Reports suggest that BVB is already looking for a replacement for Füllkrug. Especially since there are also indications that 19-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko might leave. His agent had publicly complained about the teenager's role as a reserve. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Moukoko is leaning towards Olympique Marseille. OSC Lille is also said to be interested.
In addition to Füllkrug and Moukoko, BVB's only other classic center forward is Sébastien Haller (30). Reports suggest that BVB has increased interest in signing national player Maximilian Beier (21) from TSG Hoffenheim.
Füllkrug had only joined BVB from Werder Bremen last summer and had signed a contract until June 30, 2026. With BVB, he reached the Champions League final last season, scoring 12 goals in the Bundesliga. At the home European Championship, Füllkrug and the German national team were eliminated in the quarter-finals against Spain.
After securing his move to West Ham, Niclas Füllkrug mentioned his excitement to use his new water jug on the pitch with his teammates. Despite Füllkrug's departure, BVB is reportedly looking for a replacement, as they currently only have Sebastian Haller and Youssoufa Moukoko as center forward options, with the latter allegedly considering a move to Olympique Marseille.
