• West Ham quick to secure Thomas Hitzlsperger’s signature
• German international nicknamed ‘The Hammer’ for his shot
West Ham have announced the signing of Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old will join the club on a free transfer on 1 July following the expiry of his contract at Italian side Lazio.
Hitzlsperger becomes the first new arrival at Upton Park this summer as the club aim to rebuild after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.
With Avram Grant due to be installed as manager later this month – subject to a successful work-permit application – West Ham co-owner David Sullivan expressed his satisfaction with the direction the club is taking.
“I am delighted to welcome Thomas to the club,” Sullivan told the West Ham official club website.
“We had to move quickly to secure his services when he became available, especially as there was understandably so much interest in him from around Europe and back in Germany.
“I am especially pleased that he is excited by what we are trying to achieve here at West Ham.
“He is the first of many signings this summer. We are going to sign a mixture of exciting young talent as well as the very best senior pros who can add real strength to the squad, like Thomas.
“He is still a young man but has massive experience.”
Nicknamed “The Hammer” due to his powerful left foot, Hitzlsperger should find favour among the West Ham fans, and Sullivan expects great things from the former Bayern Munich youth player.
“Thomas is a top-quality player who I know the fans will love – and not just because of his nickname,” Sullivan added.
“He is a wholehearted midfielder with an eye for a goal who gives everything in every match.”
Hitzlsperger has previous experience of Premier League football, having spent several seasons at Aston Villa between 2000 and 2005.
He began his career at Bayern before joining Villa at the age of 18, making his debut for the club in 2001 and going on to make 114 appearances, scoring 12 goals.
He returned to Germany with Stuttgart in the summer of 2005, and went on to lift the Bundesliga title with them two years later. He joined Lazio in January this year but only made five appearances before his short-term deal expired.
Hitzlsperger has won over 50 caps for the German national side but missed out on a place in Joachim Low’s World Cup squad this summer.
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