West Ham have announced their latest signing Niclas Fullkrug, and he can’t wait to get started.

For years now, West Ham have been crying out for competition/a replacement for Michail Antonio. Gianluca Scamacca, Sebastian Haller and Danny Ings all cost the club a lot of money, but none of them were able to produce the goods at the London Stadium.

However, with a new manager in Julen Lopetegui and a new recruitment team headed by Tim Steidten, the Hammers have an opportunity to finally put their striker woes to rest and they believe they’ve found the man to do that in Nicolas Fullkrug.

The German striker enjoyed an immense season for his nation as well as Borussia Dortmund and he’s ready to carry that form over to the Premier League.I’m delighted to be here, and I can’t wait to get out on the pitch with my new teammates,” he told the official site. “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.”

“I have been thinking about West Ham for a long time now – I know the Technical Director Tim Steidten very well, because we have history at Werder Bremen together, and I have watched some games and seen how much quality there is in the team.”

“The chance to play under the Head Coach [Lopetegui] is also really exciting. His playing style is important for me, and I am confident that under him I will be able to perform at my best, and score lots of goals”

“I love being close to supporters, and I’m really looking forward to meeting the West Ham fans. I have a very good feeling at the moment – I’m strong, fit and in shape – and I just want to get out there and start playing for them.”

A few are understandably a bit pessimistic about the signing, after all he’s 31-years-old. However, Steidten believes he’s going to be the perfect man for Lopetegui’s system, and that he’s going to “give us his best years.”

“He has enjoyed a really positive last couple of seasons, both at club level, where he played in the Champions League final last season, and with Germany at the Euros this summer, and he joins us with a clear desire to build upon that progress and prove himself in the Premier League.”

“Niclas has great experience and is at the stage of his career where we feel he can really give us his best years. He is someone who we have watched very closely, and who we believe will be an excellent fit for the team and for the Club. We look forward to seeing the qualities he will bring.”

Interestingly, Steidten ended his interview by saying “The Board continue to show their backing by bringing in top-class players to strengthen the squad at West Ham United.” Perhaps this is a bit of a message to those who doubted him and the board saying ‘there was no need for panic, everything is under control’. The East London faithful are certainly a lot more optimistic heading into the new campaign, hopefully Fullkrug will be instrumental to a successful season.