Niclas Füllkrug leaves Borussia Dortmund to join West Ham United

Niclas Füllkrug has left Borussia Dortmund after just one year at the club, joining West Ham United on a three-year contract.

Borussia Dortmund have announced the sale of Niclas Füllkrug, with the Germany international moving to West Ham United for a fee in the region of 27 million euros plus bonuses. The Black and Yellows were initially reluctant to part ways with Füllkrug. But the striker's wish to leave prompted the club to agree to a sale.

"Niclas is a great player and a really good guy who identified with BVB extremely quickly. It was not our plan to let him go this summer. In light of an exceptional offer and his personal desire to take the opportunity of a long-term contract in the Premier League, we decided to agree to the transfer," Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said.

West Ham United were determined to sign Füllkrug, and beat out competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and VfB Stuttgart to complete the transfer.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world" - Niclas Füllkrug after West Ham move

"I’m delighted to be here, and I can’t wait to get out on the pitch with my new teammates," Füllkrug told West Ham's official website. "I think the Premier League is the best league in the world, and for me it is the right time to move over to England and play for a big club like West Ham."

Füllkrug leaves Borussia Dortmund on the back of a memorable season that saw him help the team reach the UEFA Champions League final. The 31 year old scored 15 goals and assisted a further ten in 43 appearances for BVB, and will now hope to make a similar impact in the English Premier League. He decided to leave Borussia Dortmund following the club's decision to sign Serhou Guirassy from VfB Stuttgart.

Following the sale of Füllkrug, Borussia Dortmund will re-enter the transfer market for a new striker. Maximilian Beier of TSG Hoffenheim is thought to be one of their top candidates.