Constantin Eckner
German football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Niclas Fullkrug accepts the notion he is a late bloomer, but also likes to highlight how experience is more important to his game than youth.

The 31-year-old has joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £27m,which includes potential add-ons.

Less than 12 months ago, Fullkrug joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen, where he had flourished in the previous two seasons.

While Fullkrug is a technically limited striker, he has found a way to be effective thanks to his stature and a good eye for goalscoring opportunities in the box.

At a time when pure number nines are rare, he has attracted many suitors throughout the past few years and was called up to the Germany national team for the first time before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Fullkrug was also part of Germany’s recent Euro 2024 campaign, during which Julian Nagelsmann used him as a substitute for Kai Havertz during the second half of games.

While Havertz offered technical proficiency and engaged with the likes of Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan in passing plays, Fullkrug was sent on to be the target man for high crosses into the box in all of Germany’s games.