Niclas Fullkrug: West Ham new striker is old-school with cult following

Fullkrug has managed to attract a cult following in Germany – in part because he looks almost like a throwback to a time when broad-shouldered strikers were the norm.

When he came on during Germany’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain, the home crowd in Stuttgart frantically cheered, hoping he could bring down La Furia Roja, though he would eventually miss a big chance late in the game.

However, Fullkrug has proven he is able to score under the spotlight, as he did for Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Paris St-Germain in May, paving the way for a final appearance at Wembley.

There, unfortunately for him, Fullkrug was fooled during the Real Madrid corner routine that led to Dani Carvajal’s opening goal.

But though he might not always get the job done, fans tend to connect with Fullkrug easily, which – in part – stems from his down-to-earth personality.

He has earned the nickname ‘Gap’ because of his missing central incisor.

Other footballers would have replaced the tooth with an implant, but Fullkrug decided to carry the gap with a sense of carefreeness.

When he formed a partnership with fellow striker Marvin Ducksch for Werder Bremen, the duo dared to call themselves ‘the ugly birds’.

Such little nuggets, coupled with the fact Fullkrug is a late bloomer who somehow became an internationally recognised striker, have helped his standing in Germany and beyond tremendously.