West Ham’s approach through emotions
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Niclas Füllkrug explained his move from Borussia Dortmund to West Ham United and spoke about the enormous importance for him of appearing in the German national team jersey. “I just really wanted to take on a new challenge and do something that really went out of my comfort zone. If I grow from it, then I can mature again and take another step,” explained the 31-year-old in the “Flatterball” podcast by ex-Bundesliga professionals Martin Harnik and Max Kruse.
After just one year at BVB, Füllkrug moved to the Hammers for 27 million euros – the transfer fee can increase to up to 32 million through bonuses. “In Germany you have no feeling for how big this club is here in England. That’s crazy,” Füllkrug explained in a club interview at the beginning of August. The center forward didn’t really get going at West Ham – he had to cancel the national team trip because of Achilles tendon problems. Otherwise Füllkrug would have liked to add more to his 22 DFB appearances.
“The national team is the greatest thing for me. For me, an international match feels like winning a title. I don’t know why it’s so bad for me. “I am always so incredibly proud to be able to wear this jersey with the number nine,” revealed the Hanover native. He made his first appearance in the German A team on November 16, 2022, at the age of 29 years, nine months and seven days, in the 1-0 win against Oman, and as the winning goal scorer.
“It’s one thing to be celebrated by the fans. The other thing is that you score a goal and after the game the whole team comes and hugs you. You feel love, gratitude and this feeling of having won the game for the team,” revealed Füllkrug. “I had this feeling so badly in the national team, but I also had it mentally ill at Werder.” For the Green-Whites, the attacker made 124 professional appearances until his BVB transfer in the summer of 2023, in which he scored 49 goals and 16 assists . Füllkrug lives by the motto: “Due to my career, I am not a big title hunter; for me, ‘the journey is the goal’ is always a big aspect.”
