Niclas Füllkrug Joins AC Milan on Loan to Boost World Cup Hopes

German striker Niclas Füllkrug is set to join AC Milan on a loan deal from West Ham United, marking a significant move aimed at revitalizing his career and enhancing his prospects for selection in the 2026 World Cup. The 32-year-old, who has struggled with injuries and limited playing time at West Ham, will move to the Serie A giants beginning in January, pending a medical examination.

The loan agreement, finalized between the clubs, includes no loan fee but stipulates that AC Milan will cover Füllkrug's entire salary, estimated at around 4.5 million euros net annually. Additionally, the contract grants Milan an option to permanently purchase Füllkrug next summer for approximately 10 million euros, dispelling earlier incorrect reports suggesting a higher fee.

Füllkrug's difficulties at West Ham, including a muscle bundle tear and diminished standing under coach Nuno Espirito Santo, have hindered his impact at the Premier League side, which currently sits 18th with only 13 points from 17 matches. Since his €27 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer, he has managed just three league goals. His agent, Thorsten Wirth, acknowledged the transfer did not yield expected results, stating, "In retrospect, the transfer did not work out. We don't need to sugarcoat that."

At AC Milan, which is second in Serie A and trailing city rivals Inter Milan by a single point after 15 matches, Füllkrug will compete with forwards Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku for playing time. Coach Massimiliano Allegri plans to use him in a central striker role to leverage his international experience. This move aligns with Füllkrug's ambition to demonstrate his form and fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Germany's national coach Julian Nagelsmann has emphasized the importance of regular match practice for Füllkrug, who last represented the national team in June during the Nations League semi-final against Portugal and has scored 14 goals for Germany overall. Despite speculation about a potential return to the Bundesliga with clubs like Bremen, Wolfsburg, and Augsburg interested, the forward's focus is now on proving himself in Italy.

Füllkrug's move to AC Milan represents a crucial opportunity to regain fitness, form, and international relevance as he aims to secure his place in Germany's World Cup squad.