Thread by @FCBayernGER

Who is Niclas #Füllkrug?

A thread 🧵

Contrary to popular belief, Füllkrug hasn't emerged from thin air. His 19 goals and eight assists played a crucial role in Werder's promotion back to the Bundesliga last season. 👇

He also kept hometown club Hannover afloat with a career-best single-campaign haul of 14 Bundesliga goals in 2017/18, having previously gained some invaluable experience in Germany's second tier with Nuremberg and Greuther Fürth (a combined 24 goals in 85 games).

Eight goals for the Germany U19s and 20s are further evidence of his innate nose for the back of the opposition net - instinct laid bare against Oman on his senior international debut. ⤵️

Introduced as a half-time substitute, the Werder talisman scored with his second attempt, before being denied his brace by an offside flag. ⬇️

He repeated the trick on his third international appearance, stepping off the bench to secure a point against Group E rivals Spain on World Cup Matchday 2. 👇

And lightning struck for a third time in the final group game, netting once again after his introduction against Costa Rica to make it three goals in his first four (all as a sub) caps. He marked his first start with a brace in a March 2023 friendly win over Peru.

Plays a bit like: Mario #Gomez

Toni #Kroos touched on some of the similarities Füllkrug shares with former Germany strikers Miroslav #Klose and Mario Gomez in the build- up to the World Cup. ⤵️

: "We actually almost always had someone like him with Miro [Klose], Mario Gomez," the Real Madrid and ex-Germany midfielder said. "I think those are the types of players who can really help you in certain situations, and Hansi [#Flick] knows that."

The robust and prolific Werder target man perhaps has more in common with Gomez, who forged a reputation as a classic fox in the box during a playing career that produced over 500 goals for club and country.

There are plenty of older brothers out there who would do anything to avoid their little sister tagging along to meet their buddies - but not Füllkrug. 👇

: "I always liked bringing her with me to play football," he revealed as per a report in @SPORTBILD. "And when it turned out she was better than some of my mates, I enjoyed it all the more. She has great technique and moves really well."

So well, in fact, that Anna-Lena (striker) Füllkrug now plays for the Hannover women's team.

Anna-Lena discovered her passion for football through her brother Niclas Füllkrug: "Niclas was my role model and encouraged me to play football. That's how my passion for football developed. My parents always let me try other sports, but for me there was only football."

: "That hasn't changed to this day changed," said the sister of the DFB star once in an interview with "fussball.de".

: "Niclas deserved the goal. He had two or three other shots. You could sense his presence up front as soon as he was on the pitch." - Flick after Füllkrug's Germany debut

: "Hansi's not blind. Füllkrug is performing and is the smart choice." - Germany legend Lothar #Matthäus

: "Fülle' can be important for the national team, just like he is for us. There are outstanding technical players [ahead of him], but if you want to play with a classic nine, I don't think there's anyone better." - Bremen defender #NiklasStark

Füllkrug's nickname is "Lücke" (German for "gap") because of his front teeth. He has a wife named Lisa

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