Niclas Füllkrug: At BVB “tingling in the stomach” – Werder Bremen needed income

Striker gives insights into changes

Niclas Füllkrug gave insights into the transfer from Werder Bremen to Borussia Dortmund. For a long time it looked as if the striker would stay with the Green-Whites before BVB finally struck in the last week of the changeover period. The financial situation at Werder, who earned 13 million euros from the 30-year-old, more than ever before for an over-30 professional, also played a role.

“It was mainly the constellation between Werder and me. Because the club has repeatedly emphasized that things are not looking good economically and that they need to generate income. There weren’t that many players who would have brought in a high transfer fee,” said Füllkrug in an interview with “Sport Bild”. The German international also had moments in the summer “in which it was relatively clear to me that I wanted to stay at Werder.”

He signed a contract with the black and yellow until 2026. Long before sports director Sebastian Kehl first contacted him, it was clear to the right-footer that BVB would be one of his dream solutions. “I then thought about it during the transfer phase. Shortly afterwards it became clear to me: If I take a step, it has to be one that makes me feel a tingling sensation in my stomach. For example, I could have gone to England, to a club that plays internationally. But I didn’t feel that tingling sensation to leave Werder,” said Füllkrug.

From his point of view, Dortmund, on the other hand, “perhaps needed a striker like me” and were “an absolute top option from the first moment”. In addition to Füllkrug, the squad also includes the center forward (29), who is currently going through a difficult phase in terms of sport, and youngsters (18).

In the first conversation with Kehl, Füllkrug explained to him that he “immediately felt a tingling sensation” at BVB. And I told him that I am convinced that BVB needs me – and I also need BVB.” He doesn’t “give much thought” about his transfer fee, which Borussia has only spent once in its history on an over-30 footballer.

Füllkrug about Flick-Aus: “Was left alone a bit by the team”

Füllkrug also commented on the departure of former national coach Hansi Flick. “I had a very close relationship with Hansi Flick and am very grateful to him. I think he was left alone a bit by us as a team,” he said: “He gave us a lot of trust, often in the same players over and over again. Unfortunately, that wasn’t repaid as he deserved.”

The German Football Association parted ways with Flick about a month ago after persistent failure. His successor is Julian Nagelsmann. Füllkrug made his debut as a German international under Flick last November. He has scored seven goals in nine games for the DFB team so far. He is currently in the USA with the selection team and is full of enthusiasm. “Julian Nagelsmann is a perfectionist who can make us all better. We just have to support him as best as possible in implementing his ideas sensibly. Then we’ll get back on the road to success. I’m absolutely sure with this.”

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