Former Aston Villa, West Ham United and Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has insisted that it is a "good time" for him to come out publicly as gay.
The 31-year-old, who retired from the sport in September last year, has become the fourth footballer to be open about his sexuality after Los Angeles Galaxy winger Robbie Rogers revealed that he was gay back in February.
"It is a good time to come out about my homosexuality," Hitzlsperger told Zeit Online. "I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sports people forward.
"In England, Italy and Germany being gay is no big thing - except from in the dressing room. I've never been ashamed of who I am."
Hitzlsperger made almost 300 club appearances during a career that included him signing for six clubs across Europe.
