Niclas Fullkrug aims to free the 'curse' of Milan's number 9 shirt and aide their Scudetto charge

AC Milan's search for further attacking options saw them land on a new frontman during this month's transfer window, in the big, imposing shape of Niclas Fullkrug. 

The German hitman arrives on-loan for the rest of the season following a difficult spell in the Premier League with West Ham, where a spate of injuries and several changes in manager limited Fullkrug's impact in East London. 

However, his attributes are most welcome in Milan, where he offers something completely different to the other options in the Rossoneri's attacking arsenal. 

Strong, physical and dominant in the air, the 32-year-old is somewhat of a throwback, and the type of forward who Milan fans of a certain vintage will remember fondly from a generation gone by. 

Leading the line for Milan, though, also comes an added pressure, especially when given the number nine shirt, something that was bestowed upon Fullkrug upon move to the Serie A. Some of the club's biggest ever names have donned the famous shirt number in the past, including Marco Van Basten, Roberto Baggio and George Weah. 

In more recent times, however, the burden has weighed too heavily on players who have worn the same number. Strikers such as Krzysztof Piątek, Gonzalo Higuain, Alexandre Pato and Fernando Torres failed to live up to its famous billing, but the big German isn't afraid of its reputation and is ready to turn its recent 'curse' into a positive now he's the latest owner. 

"The number nine is always important," Fullkrug exclusively tells DAZN. 

"I think for a lot of clubs and for a lot of nations it's an important number.  I already know how you call number nine here; there's one specific word, punta, that shows the number nine is always like an important fixed point in the game, and when I see the number nine, I think of scoring goals.

"I know that this number here for AC Milan has also had some difficulties, but for me, I don't care about that; it's just a positive thing.

"I have 100% positive positive energy for scoring goals, that's what I want to do with the number." 

After looking for a fresh challenge away from East London, Fullkrug didn't take much convincing when Milan came calling. 

He's swapped a relegation scrap in the Premier League for a title charge in Serie A, as Max Allegri's men try to hunt down city rivals Inter at the top of the table. Before the move, though, he did seek advice from a fellow countryman, who also had success leading the line at the San Siro. 

"I had a long chat with Oliver Bierhoff, and he told me what I feel already it's like to play for this club. 

"It feels magical to play for such a very, very big club with an incredible stadium, incredible players, big names in the past and big names right now.

"It's what makes me proud and what makes me feel thankful to be here, to play for this club, to wear this shirt, and I hope that it's possible to show I can play for that club and help this team to be successful." 

(C)Getty images

The German international has already made his mark with the team, coming off the bench to net the winning goal in the victory over Lecce earlier this month. The towering header a textbook example of what he will bring to the team. 

In an attack that possesses such talent as Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku, Fullkrug offers something completely different and will only benefit Milan in their title charge.

"I think I fit very well because that kind of player I am wasn't there before," he added. 

"We have a lot of quality, but I like to be there where it hurts, to be in the box, to be close to the goal and to go into difficult duels to hold the ball for the team.

"I also do some dirty work, and this is what I like.  I've shown this already a few times, often in my career, and I think that could give the team space of thinking and to have some other solutions.

"I want to be there for this, and I want to help the team with the goals, of course." 

 

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