Niclas Füllkrug explains West Ham struggles after Werder revival

Niclas Füllkrug believes English football was simply not the right fit for him after putting his difficult West Ham United spell behind him with an impressive start on loan at Werder Bremen.

West Ham reportedly paid around €30 million to sign Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund in 2024 after the striker had produced 15 goals and 10 assists during his only season at BVB.

His move to London never delivered the same results. Füllkrug managed three goals and two assists from 20 appearances in his first West Ham campaign before failing to register a goal or assist across nine matches the following season.

A January loan to AC Milan brought only one goal in 20 appearances, but his return to Germany has produced an immediate change.

Füllkrug has already scored four times in his first five appearances for Werder Bremen, matching his combined goal tally for West Ham and Milan.

Speaking to SportBild, the 33-year-old admitted he cannot fully explain why his time at West Ham proved so difficult but believes playing in England did not suit him.

“You only need to look at my medical history: I suffered a lot, but almost never because of muscle injuries,” Füllkrug said.

“I can’t really explain why things went so badly for me at West Ham. England just isn’t the right fit for me, either as a player or as an athlete.”

The Germany international is now hoping his improved form and fitness can continue at Werder.

“Now I just hope everything stays the way it is,” he added.

Fitness problems provide important context to Füllkrug’s struggles in London.

An Achilles tendon issue suffered in September 2024 reportedly kept him sidelined for 86 days. A hamstring injury in January 2025 then resulted in another 81-day absence.

Two further injuries during his second West Ham season cost him another 48 days.

Those interruptions restricted both his availability and opportunity to establish any sustained rhythm, contributing to a spell in which West Ham received little return on their sizeable investment.

His rapid improvement at Werder therefore represents a significant change. Four goals from five appearances have already provided more encouragement than either his time at West Ham or subsequent Milan loan.

With Füllkrug himself now questioning his suitability to English football, a long-term return to West Ham appears increasingly difficult to envisage if his revival in Germany continues.

Füllkrug will now look to turn his excellent start at Werder Bremen into sustained form across the season.

His loan also leaves West Ham with a decision over his longer-term future. Given his comments about English football and his struggles before leaving, another attempt to establish himself in London would appear less likely if opportunities to remain in Germany emerge.

No permanent transfer has been confirmed, however. Much will depend on how Füllkrug performs for the remainder of his loan and whether Werder or another club decides to pursue a permanent deal.