Dortmund signs Bundesliga top scorer Fuellkrug on three-year deal

Dortmund, who missed out on the Bundesliga title last season after dramatically slipping up on the final matchday, needed an 88th minute goal by Donyell Malen to beat Cologne 1-0 in its opener

 Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug in action. | Photo Credit: AP

Borussia Dortmund has signed Germany international and last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Niclas Fullkrug from Werder Bremen on a three-year deal to boost its frontline after a lacklustre start to the season, the club said.

Dortmund, who missed out on the Bundesliga title last season after dramatically slipping up on the final matchday, needed an 88th minute goal by Donyell Malen to beat Cologne 1-0 in its opener.

Last week it managed only a 1-1 draw at VfL Bochum with its attack looking toothless for much of the game.

Fullkrug, who passed a medical late on Thursday, topped the scorer list last season with 16 goals, the same number as Christopher Nkunku.

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“Thanks to strong performances he has become a pillar in attack for the national team,” said Dortmund sports director Sebastian Kehl.

“He is powerful in the air, physically present and is strong in the one-on-ones and is uncomfortable for opponents. With these abilities he has the profile we were looking for.”

The 30-year-old Fullkrug earned his first cap last year shortly before the World Cup in Qatar, where he was one of Germany’s few standout performers as the team failed to progress beyond the first round.

“I was extremely happy when the offer came because the step to this club was what I was wishing for,” Fuellkrug said. “I can develop and gain new experiences. I am ready to go to help the team be as successful as possible.”

Dortmund is also competing in this year’s Champions League.