Thomas Hitzlsperger

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‘The Hammer’ as he is most commonly known, Thomas Hitzlsperger joined the Blues in mid-October 2012 on a short-term deal lasting until the end of the following January.

The former German international arrived at Goodison Park following an unsuccessful season at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

He had joined the German outfit following his release from relegated West Ham in the summer of 2011 following an injury hit campaign in which he only made 11 appearances and it proved to be a difficult move as the experienced international only got 6 games at the Wolfsburg Arena.

Following the injuries of Darron Gibson and target man Marouane Fellaini, Hitzlsperger was brought in to provide cover in the vital central midfield position, one further depleted by the sale of Jack Rodwell, who left for the Premier League Champions, Manchester City, in August.

Hitzlsperger has 52 caps for his country and six goals. He was also part of the German squads that finished as runners up in the 2008 European Championships and who gained 3rd place in the 2006 World Cup.

Prior to his time at Upton Park, the Munich-born midfielder spent four seasons at Aston Villa, five with Stuttgart back in Germany and a few months at Lazio in Italy's Serie A.

He got into the Everton team in November 2012, and continued to fill in for injured midfielders without really setting the world on fire.  His trademark hammer shot was rarely seen, and when it was, he could only smack the bar against Wigan, when a few inches lower would have been most welcome.

He didn't really get too many chances to make an impression during the brief few months of his strangely short contract, even though it was then extended for another 6 months, to the end of the 2012-13 season, Moyes having effectively given up at this point, with his eyes fixed on Old Trafford. 

Hitzlsperger claimed to be fully fit (Der Hammer is ready to strike) but he was not used much in that period, making his last appearance (as a sub) in March and moved on in June 2013 and, following a series of injuries, he retired from football in September 2013.  After his retirement, he came out as gay, the highest-profile footballer to do so.

By Conor Shaw
Last updated September 2013