At the weekend, Thomas Hitzlsperger made the decision to move from VfB to Lazio Rome in Italy's ‘Serie A'. On Tuesday the German international will depart for the Italian capital. This Wednesday, ‘Hitz' will take up training with the reigning Italian cup holders but, before he bids a final adieu to VfB,
we spoke to the midfielder about his time at VfB as well as in Stuttgart, his targets in Rome and the reasons for his transfer.
Thomas, after four and a half years you are leaving VfB, with whom you won the German championship in 2007. What was the determining factor for your decision to move?
Thomas Hitzlsperger: "In recent weeks and months things haven't gone well for me and Christian Gross made it very clear that he has more players in my position that he is satisfied with at the moment, which makes it very difficult for me to get the opportunity to play regularly. I did all I could to perform well at the training camp but my colleagues are in good form and really don't deserve to be left out right now. Lazio showed a great deal of interest in me and have signalled that I will play. Additionally, the national team coach, Joachim Löw, said that I have to be playing if I want to be taken to the World Cup. The reasons for my move are purely sporting."
Lazio Rome is a club well known far beyond the boundaries of Italy, they are current Italian cup holders and at home in the sprawling capital. Are you looking forward to this interesting task?
Thomas Hitzlsperger: "For me, this step in moving to Italy is really appealing. The move is not an escape but instead a new beginning for me. I am fit and I hope to be able to play against Catania on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to the task there."
What special memories will you recall of your four and a half years at VfB?
Thomas Hitzlsperger: "Of course the complete 2006/2007 season, which we then crowned with the German championship win. Both occasions when I participated in the Champions League with VfB were also fantastic experiences. I intend to maintain my contact with Stuttgart. It was simply just too wonderful here that I could turn my back and never return."
