- National player Krug moves from Dortmund to West Ham
Football international player Niclas Füllkrug switches from Borussia Dortmund to England to West Ham United. The 31-year-old striker signed a contract until 2028, as the club from the English Premier League announced. The transfer had been hinted at for days - Füllkrug leaves the BVB after only one season.
"I'm really happy to be here and can't wait to stand on the pitch with my new teammates," Füllkrug said according to 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 had already left the BVB training camp in Switzerland on Saturday morning. Neither club made any statements about the transfer fee, but media reports suggest it is around 30 million euros.
BVB didn't want to let Füllkrug go
The new BVB coach Nuri Sahin had actually made it clear that Füllkrug would play a central role in his plans. However, the 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 nice guy who has quickly identified with the BVB. It was not our plan to let him go this summer. Against the background of an extraordinary offer and his personal wish to take the chance of a long-term contract in the Premier League, we have nevertheless decided to agree to the transfer," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
Only two center forwards left?
Reports suggest that the BVB is already looking for a successor to Füllkrug. Especially since the departure of the 19-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko is also hinted at. His agent had 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.
In addition to Sébastien Haller (30), who is a classic center forward in the BVB squad, the BVB is apparently showing increased interest in the commitment of national player Maximilian Beier (21) from TSG Hoffenheim.
Füllkrug had only joined Werder Bremen to Dortmund in the summer of 2023 and had signed a contract until June 30, 2026. With the BVB, he reached the final of the Champions League last season, scoring 12 goals in the Bundesliga. West Ham finished last season in ninth place and will not play internationally in the 2024/25 season. The Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui has been in charge of the English club since this summer.
The decision to let Füllkrug go was not easy for Borussia Dortmund, as they valued his abilities and character highly. Despite the arrival of Serhou Guirassy, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl acknowledged Füllkrug's exceptional offer and personal desire to seize a long-term opportunity in the Premier League.
