Brief Introduction of Niclas Fullkrug
Niclas Füllkrug is a German professional footballer renowned for his role as a forward. He currently plays for Serie A club AC Milan, on loan from West Ham United, and represents the Germany national team. Füllkrug is a traditional number nine, known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and clinical finishing inside the penalty area. His career is marked by a late bloom, having made his senior debut for Germany at the age of 29. He gained significant recognition during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has since become a key figure in the national squad. Füllkrug’s journey through various German clubs, including Werder Bremen, Hannover 96, and Borussia Dortmund, showcases his perseverance and goal-scoring prowess, which culminated in him being the joint-top scorer of the Bundesliga in the 2022-23 season.
Niclas Fullkrug Overview
| Full Name | Niclas Füllkrug |
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1993 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 32 |
| Birthplace | Hanover, Germany |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Husband/Wife | Lisa Füllkrug |
| Family | Andreas Füllkrug (Father), Natalie Füllkrug (Mother), Anna-Lena Füllkrug (Sister) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $2-3 million and £25.1 million, with some reports suggesting around €15 million. |
Early Life and Education of Niclas Fullkrug
Niclas Füllkrug was born in Hanover, Germany, on February 9, 1993, to parents Andreas and Natalie Füllkrug. His father played a significant role in his early football development. Füllkrug began his football journey at the local club TuS Ricklingen, where he was coached by his father and reportedly scored an average of 160 goals per season. He also spent a year at Sportfreunde Ricklingen. At the age of 14, despite receiving offers from several Bundesliga clubs including his hometown club Hannover 96, he chose to join the youth academy of Werder Bremen in 2006. This move laid the foundation for his professional career. Information regarding his formal education beyond his football training is not widely publicized.
Niclas Fullkrug’s Career
Niclas Füllkrug’s professional career began at Werder Bremen, where he progressed through the youth ranks. He made his senior debut with Werder Bremen II and eventually the first team. To gain more experience, he was loaned to Greuther Fürth for the 2013-14 season. His career then took him to 1. FC Nürnberg in 2014, where he spent two seasons.
In 2016, Füllkrug joined his hometown club, Hannover 96. It was here that he started to make a significant impact in the Bundesliga, notably scoring 14 goals in the 2017-18 season, which drew attention from other top clubs. However, his progress was hampered by a serious knee injury.
A return to his boyhood club, Werder Bremen, materialized in 2019. Despite another injury setback, he played a crucial role in their promotion back to the Bundesliga in the 2021-22 season, scoring 19 goals. The following season, 2022-23, was a major breakthrough for him on a personal level. He finished as the joint-top scorer in the Bundesliga with 16 goals, an achievement that earned him a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. This remarkable form led to his first call-up to the German national team at the age of 29 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He made an immediate impact, scoring crucial goals against Spain and Costa Rica.
In August 2023, Füllkrug’s performances earned him a move to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on a three-year contract. He continued to be a reliable goalscorer for the club. After a season with Dortmund, he made his first move abroad, joining English Premier League side West Ham United in 2024. In January 2026, he moved to Italian Serie A club AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the season.
Niclas Fullkrug Personal Life & Family
Niclas Füllkrug is a dedicated family man. He is married to his wife, Lisa Füllkrug, whom he has known since their primary school days. The couple got married in 2016 after Füllkrug proposed during a holiday in the Seychelles in 2015. They have a daughter named Emilia, who was born in 2019. Füllkrug’s family maintains a relatively private life, with Lisa preferring to stay out of the social media spotlight, though she and Emilia are often seen supporting him from the stands.
Football talent runs in the Füllkrug family. His younger sister, Anna-Lena, is also a footballer who plays as a striker for Hannover 96. His grandfather, Gerd, was also a footballer for SV Arminia Hannover.
Awards and Achievements of Niclas Fullkrug
- Bundesliga Top Goalscorer: 2022–23
- Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2022–23
- VDV Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2022–23
- Bundesliga Player of the Month: September 2022, October 2022
Niclas Fullkrug Net Worth and Income
Niclas Füllkrug’s net worth is a subject of varying estimations. Some reports in early 2026 placed it between $2-3 million, while others suggest it could be as high as £25.1 million or around €15 million. His income primarily stems from his professional football contracts. At Borussia Dortmund, his annual salary was reported to be around six million euros. Upon his transfer to West Ham United, his salary was reportedly in the region of £4.5 million per year, though some sources indicate it could be as high as £6.5 million annually. His contract with West Ham is a four-year deal.
Legacy and Influence
Niclas Füllkrug’s career serves as an inspiration for late bloomers in professional sports. His journey to the top of German football and his impactful debut for the national team at the age of 29 demonstrate the rewards of perseverance and consistent performance. He is admired for his traditional, powerful style of play as a center-forward, a role that had become less common in modern football tactics. Füllkrug is also known for his leadership qualities and vocal presence on the pitch. Off the field, he is seen as a humble and family-oriented individual. His story of overcoming injuries and fighting his way to the highest level has earned him respect from fans and fellow professionals alike.
Interesting Facts about Niclas Fullkrug
- His nickname is “Lücke” (German for “gap”) because of the gap between his front teeth.
- He is the oldest outfield player to make his debut for the German national team in 20 years, at the age of 29 years and 280 days.
- During a training session at Werder Bremen, he was involved in a bizarre accident where a teammate’s tooth got lodged in his forehead, requiring hospital treatment.
- As a youth player, he once scored an incredible 162 goals in a single season.
- Along with his Werder Bremen teammate Marvin Ducksch, he humorously referred to themselves as the “ugly ducklings.”
Controversies
Niclas Füllkrug has generally maintained a professional image throughout his career. However, he has been known for his candid and sometimes critical post-match interviews. In November 2023, after a defeat for Borussia Dortmund against VfB Stuttgart, his comments were interpreted by some as a criticism of coach Edin Terzic’s tactics. Füllkrug later clarified that he did not intend to criticize the coach and that his remarks were about the team’s inability to adapt on the pitch. Similarly, during his time at West Ham, he was noted for a brutally honest interview where he was critical of his team’s performance, which some found refreshing while others might see as controversial. In October 2021, while at Werder Bremen, he was briefly suspended after an incident where he was reportedly “repeatedly abusive” towards the then-head of professional football, Clemens Fritz, following a loss.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – @niclas.fuellkrug24: Over 700,000 followers
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Niclas Fullkrug
Niclas Füllkrug’s career is a testament to resilience and the belief that it is never too late to achieve one’s dreams. From a prolific youth scorer to overcoming significant injuries and earning a place on the world stage, his journey has been remarkable. His old-fashioned, effective style of play has not only brought him personal success but has also provided a valuable asset to his clubs and the German national team. As he continues his career at the highest level with AC Milan, Füllkrug’s story remains an engaging narrative in modern football, proving that dedication and a powerful right foot can pave the way to success, regardless of the timeline.