Fullkrug joins West Ham for £27m

Premier League side West Ham have reinforced their squad with the signing of German striker Niclas Fullkrug in a £27m deal from Borussia Dortmund, leaving the Bundesliga team barely a year after joining them from another Bundesliga rival.

The striker had 15 goals from 46 games in all competitions as Dortmund finished runner-up in the UEFA Champions League in the 2023/2024 season after joining from Werder Bremen last summer.

He was only able to contribute two goals for Germany as the hosts ran to the quarterfinals of the Euro 2024 although he didn’t start a match for them throughout.

The 31-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Hammers who have been linked with him for the past weeks. Upon his unveiling on Monday, Fullkrug admitted that the Premier League is the best in the world his move has come at the right time.

“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.” Fullkrug said.

Furthermore, he revealed that he had been thinking about West Ham for a while now and was familiar with the technical director Tim Steidten, with whom he worked at Werder Bremen. He also admitted to having seen some of West Ham games and the quality of the team.

West Ham United and boss Julen Lopetegui have been busy in the summer transfer window as Fullkrug becomes their fifth signing. The London club has also brought in Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville from Leeds for around £25m, former Wolves skipper Max Kilman for £40m, former Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Luis Guilherme from Brazilian club Palmeiras.

However, it doesn’t look like the Hammers have finished their summer transfer deals, as they are also interested in Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.