Milan Recruits a German Goal Threat in January Move
2 January 2026
Winter window shake-up for Milan
AC Milan confirmed on Friday the signing of German forward Niclas Vollkrog from West Ham United, bolstering the Rossoneri's attack for the remainder of the season. The deal is a loan with an option to buy, giving Milan flexibility to decide if the German fits the project. The move opens the January window with a notable splash.
Vollkrog's road to Milan
The attacker, born in Hanover in 1993, will wear the number 9 shirt for Milan. He began his career in Germany with Greuther Fürth, Nürnberg and Hanover before a spell at Werder Bremen in 2019. In 2023 he joined Borussia Dortmund, making 42 appearances and scoring 15 goals, including several in the Champions League and a final against Real Madrid. After Dortmund he moved to West Ham United in the Premier League. He earned his first call-up to the German national team in November 2022 and was named in the World Cup squad in Qatar.
Winter transfers officially opened on Friday and will run through early February.
Punchlines: If Vollkrog finds the net, Milan fans will call it a winter miracle. If not, at least January proved the weather can be more forgiving than the transfer market, which is saying something in Serie A.
