Niclas Füllkrug has completed his West Ham United exit after making a significant financial sacrifice to seal his return to Werder Bremen.
Werder officially confirmed Füllkrug’s season-long loan on Tuesday, bringing an end to one of West Ham’s longest-running summer transfer situations.
The 33-year-old completed his medical before immediately joining his new team-mates in training, but fresh details have now emerged over just how determined he was to make the move happen.
According to BILD, Füllkrug has sacrificed a high six-figure amount in earnings to return to the Bundesliga club.
Niclas Füllkrug makes major sacrifice to leave West Ham
Füllkrug’s desire to return to Bremen proved central to negotiations.
The Germany international described Werder as a particularly important club to him after completing the move, having previously developed there before returning for another successful spell which eventually earned him a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
West Ham have also made a sizeable concession.
ReadWestHam reported on Tuesday that Werder will pay no loan fee for Füllkrug, while the agreement contains no purchase option.
That means Füllkrug remains contracted to West Ham until 2028 and could technically return to east London next summer.
For Nuno Espírito Santo, however, the immediate problem has been removed.
Füllkrug had fallen outside his plans following West Ham’s relegation and spent much of the summer waiting for another club. His departure now removes a significant wage commitment while the Hammers reshape their attacking options.
Joel Piroe is closing in on a move from Leeds United after completing his medical, giving Nuno the Championship-proven striker he has been seeking.
Füllkrug, meanwhile, has already begun life back at Werder.
His West Ham chapter may not technically be over permanently, but his willingness to give up a substantial amount of money makes clear where he wanted to spend this season.
