The German international became the first signing of the Serie A transfer window when he joined Milan on loan with an option to buy from West Ham on January 2. He had already been training with the Rossoneri in the week leading up to his presentation, and has since made two appearances in Serie A in the week after.
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On Friday he offered his presentation press conference to the media.
Fullkrug’s first impressions after arriving at Milan
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 8: Niclas Fuellkrug of AC Milan applauds the fans after the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I think the team I have arrived in has enormous quality, a lot of energy, unity, good energy,” Fullkrug said at the start of his first press conference in Milan on Friday.
“I was impressed by the energy after the game we won against Cagliari, I saw it in the locker room and that is revealing. With my character and my way of being, I think I can fit in well.
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“I want to help the team as best I can. It’s a great moment for me to come to Milan.”
“The team has helped me adapt. It’s a really positive group with a lot of positive energy. It was very easy to adapt, my teammates made me feel very welcome. I can give my best in training because I felt at ease right away.”
Fullkrug explained why he decided to wear the number 9 shirt for the first time in his club career.
“For me, the number 9 is synonymous with goals. I have never had it in the past, except with Germany. I know it has a certain weight. Players of enormous qualities have worn it here in Milan and I hope to be up to the task.”
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And what does Fullkrug think of the possibility of playing regularly at San Siro?
“I played here with Dortmund two years ago, so I already had a little preview of what it’s like to play here, but now, with the Milan shirt. This club has a magical aura, it’s magical to play for Milan at San Siro. I’m very happy to have arrived here and I’m grateful for this opportunity.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: A general view of the stadium reflected in rainwater before the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
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“The fans received me very positively. I would have liked to have scored already, but it was a good night. There will be great nights in the future, I’m sure.”
The German assured that Serie A football is not a new phenomenon for him.
“I had already watched many games out of interest before arriving here. I followed Serie A and, of course, also Milan. I knew how the team plays and the chances I would have to succeed in this team. I am different from the other forwards in the team. The quality is enormous in our attacking department.
“I think I bring a physical presence, occupying the area, and that can help the team in many situations. In the first two games, I realized that I have to fight with the opposing defenders. I hope you have seen that I am ready to do it and willing to sacrifice myself.”
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Talking about tactics with Allegri and advice from Ibrahimovic
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 8: Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of AC Milan, gives instructions to the team during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan have largely lined up in a 3-5-2 this season, but journalists wanted to ask Fullkrug if his presence means the possibility of an attacking trio alongside Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic.
He responded: “First of all, I have to make it clear that I can’t tell you what the coach says, I can’t respond to that. The coach will field the team that has the best chance of winning.”
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“Allegri has a lot of experience. He is able to adapt the shape depending on the players. It is important that the team wins, not the individual. It may be possible to have a bigger impact in 20-30 minutes than playing from the start sometimes. Playing three up front could be an option. We want a positive result on Sunday to stay close to the top.”
And about the conversations he had with Rossoneri advisor Ibrahimovic, Fullkrug said: “I already met Zlatan. I had the pleasure of talking to him and exchanging some jokes. I watched him a lot when he was younger. He was a versatile striker. He gave me some advice, some suggestions and told me what he expects from me.”
Modric appeal, German heritage in Serie A, Milan 1-1 Genoa
PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 8: Luka Modric of AC Milan watches during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 8, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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It’s no surprise that Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric is the star attraction of Milan’s current locker room.
“We have very strong players in our team. Modric has a lot of experience. I played against him in the Champions League final two years ago. I am struck by his commitment both in the offensive phase and out of possession.
“But we have many valuable players. I think I can get along well with the full-backs and also with Nkunku, Pulisic and Leao. We can form a trident and play in good harmony with each other.”
And why did Fullkrug decide to move to Italy at this stage in his career?
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“Italy has always had a special place in my mind,” he said. “There are many Germans who have played here, like Klose, Voller and Bierhoff. Rudi speaks very highly of Italy. Bierhoff said that I would do well here.
“I think Serie A is a league that suits my qualities. It is a league that suits me well in terms of club, in terms of lifestyle. I couldn’t say no to Milan at the moment.”
Fullkrug has already made two appearances in Serie A since arriving at Milan, including Thursday night’s chaotic 1-1 draw against Genoa – his San Siro debut. Reporters asked him if he thought he should have been awarded a penalty in the final minutes.
“There were a couple of different situations,” he said. “The decisions went against us, without wanting to accuse the referee of anything of course.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 8: Nicolae Stanciu of Genoa misses from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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“Things were a bit uncertain. I received a stamp from the opponent. I was sure that we would be penalized or that the referee would at least go to VAR, but it didn’t go as I thought. We had a chance to win anyway, we can’t blame the referee.”
And is the Milan team really thinking about winning the Scudetto this season?
“I think it is right to speak publicly about the goal of the Champions League. We missed it last year and this club has to represent Italy in Europe. We have to concentrate on each game. Things on a more distant horizon do not interest us. The next goal is Fiorentina. Getting three points there means three more for the final goal.”
Where did things go wrong at West Ham?
Fullkrug continued to speak openly about his disappointing spell in the Premier League – a spell in which he managed just three goals in 26 appearances over 18 months.
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“With Werder, BVB and the national team things went very well during those three or four years. I played regularly, scored and got assists. That is the level I want to return to. I want to be available and contribute with goals and good performances,” he explained.
“West Ham was not an easy place. I arrived after a very long season, with 57 games. I was not able to prepare well in the preseason due to the European Championship. I moved to West Ham without being able to prepare physically.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Niclas Fullkrug of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at the London Stadium on August 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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“Things didn’t go well for me in England, but I hope to turn the page. I feel fresh, in shape. I have felt good in the last two games. The medical team in Milan has helped me, they have given me an excellent training program.
“The feeling is good, I hope it continues like this because then I will be sure to score goals. How many, I don’t know. If the ball enters the area, I will try to put it in the back of the net. We will see how many at the end of the season, but I hope to score great goals.”
Staying permanently in Milan and World Cup hopes
Towards the end of his press conference, Fullkrug was asked if he hopes to stay at Milan beyond the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
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“Yes, of course,” he admitted. “I came here and I didn’t go anywhere else because Mila didn’t convince me and I wanted to come here. I feel completely comfortable. It’s a team that has great emotional tension, it’s a well-supported club. I want to play for the big teams, for me it’s a good pressure to manage. I hope to continue like this in the future.
“It’s nice to play for a team that is successful and that is never satisfied with a draw. We are the favorites in many games and we have to live up to it. That requires a lot of work, but this is a team that wants to take on that role and I feel prepared for it.
Niclas Füllkrug of Germany celebrates as he greets the fans after the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Switzerland and Germany at the Frankfurt Arena on June 23, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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And on whether he hopes to play for Germany at the summer World Cup, Fullkrug said: “I did good performances with the national team, but I lost a bit of momentum because I had to turn down call-ups due to injuries. I hope to be available regularly again and be able to pick up where I left off.”
“I have a good scoring ratio with the national team, I love Germany and that is a great goal for me.”