Florian Wirtz prediction made after Premier League rival's private message

Niclas Fullkrug is excited to see 'special' talent Florian Wirtz in the Premier League this season and has already messaged his Germany international team-mate to tell him as much. Wirtz completed a record £116m move to Liverpool earlier in the window after impressing for Bayer Leverkusen, and West Ham star Fullkrug knows all about the playmaker's quality from their time playing together for their country.

"Florian is a very special player, very talented, one of the best players in Germany," Fullkrug said after West Ham's pre-season win away to Swiss club Grasshopper. "I love this guy, he's such a good guy and what a good player, so I told him already I'm happy he's now in the Premier League and he can show the whole world how good he is."

Wirtz isn't the only Bundesliga star to move to the Premier League this summer, with Fullkrug's former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jamie Gittens joining Chelsea. "He's of course a one v one player down the line, a winger, quick with the feet and always trying to get a shot on target," the striker said. "A good, talented player and I'm looking forward to seeing him on the pitch."

Fullkrug played the first 45 minutes for West Ham in Zurich before manager Graham Potter picked an entirely new XI for the second half. The Hammers won 3-1, with Andy Irving, Callum Marshall and Lucas Paqueta scoring their goals.

New signing El Hadji Malick Diouf made his debut for the London side, playing the entire second half and coming close to an assist only for Tomas Soucek to misplace his header. Fullkrug and Diouf weren't on the pitch together in Zurich, but the former Dortmund front man is optimistic about linking up with his new team-mate.

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"I think he's a nice addition to our team," Fullkrug said of £19m left wing-back Diouf. "He's a very physically strong guy, he has good crosses, a lot of crosses per game, and I saw his stats. Very good player but also did very well in the Europa League, so we're happy to have him and let's see how we work out."

Senegal international Diouf was linked with a Premier League move in January after thriving for Slavia Prague, with club chief Jaroslav Tvrdik claiming Chelsea and Liverpool were keen. He is the third new signing at the London Stadium this summer, after a permannt swoop for former loanee Jean-Clair Todibo and the arrival of ex-Celtic starlet Daniel Cummings.

West Ham have also reintegrated Maxwel Cornet and Nayef Aguerd into their squad after the pair spent last season out on loan. Ivorian winger Cornet played the first half against Grasshopper, while Morocco centre-back Aguerd played the second 45 at the back.

It was 1-0 at the break, with Irving opening the scoring after fine work from captain Jarrod Bowen, and young striker Marshall doubled the lead less than two minutes after coming on. Jonathan Asp Jensen pulled a goal back midway through the second half but Paqueta restored the two-goal advantage from the penalty spot in the closing stages.

"I think we have to prove [ourselves], that's the most important thing," Fullkrug said, refusing to make any big statements about the Hammers' goals for the season. "We have to prove in the first game we show what we are able to do, and when we do that we can start to speak about aims, goals or something.

"But first we want to show that we want to make our fans proud, that we want to show a good face for West Ham United, and that's very important for us as a team because last year it was of course disappointing for everyone. But we don't want to speak any more about last year. It's the past, we are here now, and we look to the future."

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