West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug joins AC Milan on loan

AC Milan have completed the loan signing of West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug for the remainder of the season.

The deal, which includes an option to sign the 32-year-old Germany international permanently this summer, ends what has been a miserable 18-month spell at the London Stadium for Füllkrug. 

Füllkrug struggled to adapt to the Premier League following his £27m move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, and has not found the target since last April, when he netted the last of three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions. Physical setbacks have done little to help, with the striker regularly missing games due to achilles tendon, hamstring and muscle injuries.

Füllkrug, who arrived in Milan last week, has already trained with his new team-mates. Milan travel to Cagliari on Friday night, with a home fixture against Genoa to follow next Thursday. 

What did AC Milan say about the arrival of Niclas Füllkrug?

“AC Milan is delighted to announce that Niclas Füllkrug has joined the Club on loan from West Ham United, with an option to make the move permanent,” read a Milan statement.

Füllkrug appeared in buoyant mood as he took to social media to greet the Milan faithful and express his ambitions with the club, who currently lie a point adrift of leaders Internazionale in the Serie A table. 

“Ciao Rossoneri, I’m finally here,” the striker beside a picture of himself sporting Milan’s colours. “It’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to wear this jersey.

Niclas Füllkrug hails ‘huge club rich in tradition’

“It’s a great honour for me to be part of this huge club rich in tradition, with all its history, personalities, and ambitions – and I’m really looking forward to giving my best to continue writing this story. Let’s get started – andiamo!”

There was an acceptance by all parties that Füllkrug’s move to West Ham had not gone according to plan. The striker failed to find favour with Nuno Espírito Santo after the Portuguese took over as manager in September, and he has not started a game since early October. 

In a separate social media message, Füllkrug acknowledged that things had not worked out and thanked West Ham’s supporters.

What did Füllkrug say about leaving West Ham?

“The past one and a half years didn’t go as I – and surely you all – had imagined,” he said. “I want to thank you for your support, even when things weren’t always easy. There are truly special people at WHU, and I am very grateful for everyone I met and the relationships I was able to build. Wishing you all the best for the rest of the season.”

Injuries and fitness issues this season have made plain Massimiliano Allegri’s need for attacking reinforcements in Milan’s 3-5-2 system. Milan’s sporting director, Igli Tare, had been in contact with Füllkrug’s representatives for weeks before the heavily-trailed deal, with the striker immediately receptive to the idea.

The German’s arrival follows the recent termination of Divock Origi’s contract.