Niclas Fullkrug accepts the notion he is a late bloomer, but also likes to highlight how experience is more important to his game than youth.
The 31-year-old has joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £27m, which includes potential add-ons.
Less than 12 months ago, Fullkrug joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen, where he had flourished in the previous two seasons.
While Fullkrug is a technically limited striker, he has found a way to be effective thanks to his stature and a good eye for goalscoring opportunities in the box.