At 44 years old, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/thomas-hitzlsperger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thomas Hitzlsperger</a> has held a number of different functions from player to CEO to sporting director to pundit to journalist to commentator to restauranteur. However, perhaps the most important role that he has occupied is a trailblazer for LGBT athletes.



Born in Munich, West Germany, Hitzlsperger started off with VfB Forstinning before spending a decade at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/bayern-munich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayern Munich</a>’s academy. He left in 2000 and joined Aston Villa, and following a brief loan spell at second-tier Chesterfield, he started to make his presence felt in the Premier League.



Hitzlsperger racked up 12 goals and 14 assists in 114 appearances for Villa, earning the nickname ‘Der Hammer’ for his powerful, left-footed strikes from long distance, the highlight of which was a last-minute, 30-yard strike to secure a victory over rivals West Bromwich Albion.



<h2>The evolution of soccer through Hitzlsperger’s eyes</h2>



“I always had this talent when I was a kid: I had the ability to shoot very hard. When you have this ability, and it stands out so early on in your life, you keep using it, because you know it separates you from everybody else,” stated Hitzlsperger in an exclusive <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Soccer Talk</a> interview. “I kept practicing, and it kind of became my signature shot. That was good: I was very happy to have that. On the other hand, I was quite slow, so having that gift means you’re missing out on something else.”



“Anyway, I think the introduction of data, and nowadays, all the top clubs use a lot of data. Expected Goals have become so prominent, and I like xG. It kind of gives you a really good guidance of how the game is overall. It’s not everything, but I think it’s a good indicator. When you come to the conclusion that most goals are being scored in a certain area in the box, it makes sense. I guess in basketball, Steph Curry was kind of one of the first I can remember taking shots from a great distance, and if you practice this and you’re very good at it, then make this your weapon.



“It forces other teams to come up with new ideas, because if you defend deep, but then on the other team there’s somebody who can shoot from 30 yards out, then you have to change your tactics. I think that soccer is changing; the new added space is a big challenge, because not going in a straight line, and the game keeps evolving. This is the trend right now: xG, long-distance shooting, and that’s the fun part. That’s the part that I really enjoy. Those are the details where I think this is how soccer can evolve, but not some crazy stuff, like selling rights for World Cups, or overturning red cards, and those other things.”



<h2>The struggle to stay at a peak level</h2>



After joining Stuttgart in 2005, Hitzlsperger enjoyed the peak of his soccer career, scoring the equalizer on the final day of the 2006/07 season vs. Energie Cottbus. Had Stuttgart lost, Schalke would’ve won the title. Instead, Sami Khedira scored to complete the comeback and secure Stuttgart’s first Bundesliga title in 15 years.



He didn’t just make his legacy at the club level, but at the international level, making 52 caps for Germany and winning the silver medal at the 2008 Euros, as well as the bronze at the 2005 Confederations Cup and 2006 World Cup. Hitzlsperger left for Lazio in 2010, bouncing around from West Ham to Wolfsburg to Everton before deciding to hang up his boots in 2013.



“There are various factors why I retired early, but having played at the Bayern Academy for 11 years, and then Aston Villa for 5 years, Stuttgart for 4.5 years, I wanted to be in a place for a longer time, and suddenly I kept moving clubs every 6 to 12 months,” he added. “This was difficult because my life had changed, my perspective on life had changed, and I wasn’t the sought-after player anymore, and suddenly you are just a number 20 on the roster.



“You think, ‘Okay, whether I’m here or not, it doesn’t make a big difference, and that was difficult for me to handle and to deal with.’ I trained even harder, I tried more, and yet the outcome was worse, and that was very difficult. And then, when you move every 12 months, you have to make new friends, you have to let go of older friends, and I struggled. I really struggled, and then injuries came on top of it, and I thought, ‘Maybe I have to call it a day and do something different.”



<h2>Life after soccer</h2>



Four months after retiring, he became the first high-profile soccer player to come out as gay. It would take Jakub Jankto a decade to become the first active soccer player to come out. Since then, <a href="https://r.org/2026/09/14/its-a-tough-situation-but-we-must-not-give-up-thomas-hitzlsperger-backing-aalborg-to-bounce-back-to-danish-top-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hitzlsperger</a> has kept busy with various different jobs, managing the London-based restaurant L’Escargot and expanding his media career with leading outlets like ESPN, Fox Sports, and Sky Germany.



He also returned to Stuttgart from 2019 to 2022, rising from Sporting Director to CEO, and he’s currently working with three clubs as a board member or co-owner: Aalborg, VVV-Venlo, and Hellas Verona. Above all, though, Hitzlsperger has used his platform to promote inclusiveness for gay athletes, demonstrating that homosexuality isn’t something to be ashamed of – it’s something to be proud of.

Thomas Hitzlsperger opens up on the struggle to stay at soccer’s elite level: ‘Suddenly you are just a number 20 on the roster’

Thomas Hitzlsperger opens up on the struggle to stay at soccer’s elite level: 'Suddenly you are just a number 20 on the roster' - World Soccer Talk

main

<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/sports-news-may-2010/image/8812722?term=thomas+hitzlsperger" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/8812722/sports-news-may-2010/sports-news-may-2010.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=8812722" border="0" alt="May 16, 2010 - 05910064 date 15 05 2010 Copyright imago Sesa Il Gol Tue Thomas Hitzlsperger Roma 15 5 2010 Stadio Olimpico Lazio Udinese Campionato Italiano Series A 2009 2010 Photo Andrea Staccioli Inside photo PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITAxFRA men Football ITA Series A 2009 2010 Rome Action shot Single cut out Vdig xsk 2010 horizontal Highlight premiumd." width="500" height="333"></figure></div></a></div>
As the Community Shield approaches this weekend to officially kick off another ten months of Premier League football, here are a few non big four yet solid and exciting players to watch this season. For those more&nbsp;interested in big four teams, watch this space for more preview posts to come before the opening weekend.

Thomas Hitzlsperger – West Ham United: No stranger to the Premier League, the German international acquired from Lazio on a free, Thomas ‘the hammer’ Hitzlesperger returns to England with his famously powerful left footed shot for Hammers supporters to admire. The midfielder who’s most comfortable shooting from outside the box left Aston Villa in 2005 as a fan favorite and will likely gain the same admiration from the Upton Park faithful early on in the season if he can find his goal scoring form in East London.
As West Ham narrowly avoided relegation last season, Hitzlsperger’s experience in the center of the pitch and goal scoring abilities will be greatly valued by West Ham fans. Owner’s Gold &amp; Sullivan made a great move for the club by picking up ‘the Hammer’ on a free and also by appointing experienced Premier League manager Avram Grant to the helm. With new addition Grant, West Ham supporters will want to put the results of last season’s campaign to rest as soon as possible.&nbsp;In Hitzlsperger, West Ham&nbsp;fans can expect a player with the ability to&nbsp;score crackers from midfield and with&nbsp;players such as Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Frédéric Piquionne to compliment Grant’s leadership, West Ham look to be on the right path.
Jermaine Beckford – Everton: After the ‘will he, or won’t he’ saga finally ended in the favor of ‘he did’, the former Leeds United&nbsp;striker now has his shot in the Premier League with Everton as the&nbsp;recently promoted&nbsp;Championship side Leeds United ended up with naught for Beckford as Everton secured his services on a free transfer. Most Premier League fans will remember&nbsp;Beckford for his famous goal v Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup last season, and while his qualities were on display last winter in that match, it shouldn’t be over looked&nbsp;that he’s a complete striker who possesses a good first touch, classy footwork and strong finishing abilities.
Beckford scored goals for fun in League One, but Premier League defenders aren’t League One defenders, so Beckford will have to prove he can create space and score goals v the best in a new and challenging&nbsp;league. Everton are a good side that will look to avoid the slow start they experienced last campaign when the squad was riddled with injury.&nbsp;The Toffees&nbsp;have options up front such as Louis Saha and Yakubu, but Beckford will get his chance to shine. Will he grasp it?
Ben Foster – Birmingham City: Having left Manchester United with his tail between his legs, Foster now has his chance to be the #1 for City, an ambitious goal while at United, but an unlikely occurrence for the former England keeper who fell out of favor with Sir Alex Ferguson. Riddled with injury after his brilliant on loan spell at Watford, Foster languished mostly on the bench over the course of the last few years at Old Trafford behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak.
As Birmingham City ready for the upcoming season, they’re still coming down from&nbsp;cloud nine and their best finish in the league, a hard fought ninth, since 1951. Once touted as the next England #1, Foster has slipped miles behind the man he’ll be&nbsp;replacing at St. Mary’s and the now&nbsp;realistic choice as England’s best keeper, Joe Hart. Now though is Foster’s time to shine and to get his club career back on track. The international accolades will follow, if he’s worthy.
Jerome Boateng, Manchester City: Although they want a top four finish at Eastlands so bad they can taste it, the Mancunians will have to settle for Europa League football this season having come oh so close last term in&nbsp;finishing fifth. No strangers to picking up world class talent whenever they can, I believe it will be the quiet&nbsp;roll players for City that will make or break their next attempt at qualifying for the Champions League. Boateng is just that role player.
The German left back who can play any position at the back will be a vital addition to a City defense who were good without being great last season. As Manchester City&nbsp;look to be once again loaded in attack, Boateng can provide assistance on the wing to support&nbsp;attacks while holding his own as a defender. Manchester City will&nbsp;need solid performances from players just like Boateng to make that crunching tackle or deflection&nbsp;so the David Silva’s of the world can do what they do best. At 21, Boateng was one of the best young players at this summer’s World Cup for a great German side. Manchester City like Germany will hope they can get the best out of the talented defender.

Four Non Top Four Players to Watch This Premier League Season

Four Non Top Four Players to Watch This Premier League Season - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Thomas Hitzlsperger. Find out about all the news related to Thomas Hitzlsperger on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Thomas Hitzlsperger"

News

Thomas Hitzlsperger opens up on the struggle to stay at soccer’s elite level: ‘Suddenly you are just a number 20 on the roster’

News

Four Non Top Four Players to Watch This Premier League Season