West Ham United have sent striker Niclas Fullkrug back to Werder Bremen on a season-long loan, according to a report by BBC Sport, as the Championship club continue to trim their squad following relegation from the top flight.

A familiar return for the Germany international

Fullkrug, 33, returns to Werder for what is understood to be a third spell with the Bundesliga club, having also begun his senior career there. The Germany international joined West Ham for a reported fee of £27m from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024, but his time at the club has been disrupted by injury and inconsistency. He made 11 starts in the top flight last season, contributing three goals, before spending the second half of the campaign on loan at AC Milan.

With West Ham now operating in the second tier, the loan move to Werder represents a significant shift for a player of Fullkrug's standing. Whether the arrangement includes any option or obligation to buy at the end of the season has not been confirmed in the report, and the structure of the wage contribution between the two clubs has not been disclosed publicly.

What this means for West Ham's attacking depth

The departure of Fullkrug leaves West Ham needing to ensure they have sufficient firepower for what promises to be a demanding Championship campaign. The club drew 2-2 at Turf Moor in their opening second-tier fixture, a result that already has supporters asking questions about the squad's readiness for the rigours of this division.

Recent activity at the club has seen Joel Piroe linked with a move to the Hammers, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo has publicly called for additional attacking reinforcements. Losing Fullkrug, even temporarily, adds further urgency to that search, particularly with the transfer window still open and competition at the top of the Championship table likely to be fierce from the outset.

The club's next fixture sees them host Charlton Athletic on Saturday, 22 August (15:00 BST), giving Nuno's side an early opportunity to build on last week's point on the road.

A deal that suits all parties, for now

From Fullkrug's perspective, a return to a club where he is well-known and settled in Germany makes considerable sense. Regular Bundesliga football at 33 will be far preferable to the prospect of limited minutes in the Championship, a division whose physical demands and schedule can be unforgiving for strikers who have spent much of their career in top European leagues.

For West Ham, the loan frees up a significant portion of the wage bill and allows the club to pursue a striker more suited to the second tier, whether that is through a permanent signing or another loan arrangement. The Hammers' recruitment team will be aware that the profile of striker required to lead the line in the Championship differs markedly from the type of player built for European football.

How West Ham navigate the remainder of the window, and whether they can bring in a reliable goalscorer before business closes, could prove decisive in their bid to mount a genuine promotion challenge this season. According to the BBC Sport report, the Fullkrug deal is confirmed, so attention now turns to who might fill the void he leaves behind.

Frequently asked

Why has Niclas Fullkrug left West Ham on loan?
According to BBC Sport, Fullkrug has joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan. With West Ham now in the Championship, the German striker is understood to have sought regular football at a higher level in the Bundesliga rather than feature in the second tier.
How much did West Ham pay for Niclas Fullkrug?
West Ham signed Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024 for a reported fee of £27m. He scored three goals in 11 top-flight starts before spending the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan.
Who will West Ham use as a striker now Fullkrug has gone?
West Ham have been linked with Joel Piroe, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo has publicly called for more attacking signings. The club are expected to pursue further recruitment before the transfer window closes to cover the gap left by Fullkrug's departure.