Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Villan, joins West Ham

Thomas Hitzlsperger will be wearing claret and blue again, but it will be as a Hammer, not a Villan. Hitzlsperger played for Aston Villa from 2001-2005 and was a much-loved member of the club. "Der Hammer" had said that he'd like to come back to Villa, but I guess he couldn't resist the lure of being a hammer for the Hammers.

Hitz went to Stuttgart on a free transfer in 2005, and helped the club win the Bundesliga in 2006/2007. He captained Stuttgart for a couple years before moving to Lazio for a short spell in January 2010. Now Avrim Grant has made him his first signing at West Ham. He'll be a quality addition for the Hammers and it will be fun to see him playing in the Premier League once again.