Thomas Hitzlsperger may be familiar with claret and blue already, but that did not stop him relishing the chance to try on his new West Ham United kit.
The summer signing, who spent five years at Aston Villa earlier in his career, donned the club's new 2010/11 Macron away kit this week for a special launch photo-shoot and was full of praise. "It is exciting when you get to see the new kit although for me it is nothing new. It is claret and blue. I am used to it!
"It is good for the fans to get to see it. We are only five weeks away from the start of the season. We are all excited and it is the next step towards the new season with the presentation of the new kit."
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OFFICIAL LAUNCH - 22 JULY 2010
Der Hammer, as the Germany midfielder has been dubbed because of his powerful left foot, spent four-and-a-half seasons with VfB Stuttgart in his homeland ahead of a six-month stay with S.S. Lazio in Italy. He is delighted to be back in England and relishing the start of the new season.
"I am just excited to be back. My time here in the Premier League was great for me. I have been abroad for five years now and coming back it is just wonderful. I have so many good memories.
"Playing for a big club like West Ham is great for me and I just want to be successful. I have come here, the club had a difficult last season last year and we want to finish higher up the table. I am looking forward to it so much and I am just glad to be here."