Thomas Hitzlsperger has spoken of the "destiny" of playing for West Ham United as Der Hammer prepares for life at the Hammers.
The Germany midfielder earned his fitting nickname during his five-season stay at Aston Villa because of his powerful left foot and long-range shooting. The alias stuck during a hugely successful spell over the next five years at VfB Stuttgart, during which time he helped them to the Bundesliga title and two cracks at the UEFA Champions League.
As such, it is more than fitting that 'The Hammer' has signed on at the Boleyn Ground, having passed a medical in England on Saturday before concluding the deal and then heading back to his home city of Munich on a high.
He will report for pre-season training a month today under new manager Avram Grant - who has been appointed subject to a work permit - ready to live up to his nickname once more.
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"It is destiny," he told whufc.com with a smile. "I knew that West Ham were called The Hammers and it has actually always been on my mind whether I would play for the club one day. I am really pleased to be a Hammer.
"It is nice and it suits perfectly to be at West Ham. Hopefully people will be talking about my nickname a lot because that will mean I will be doing my job and scoring some goals as well."
Having put a short-tem spell at S.S. Lazio in the first half of this year behind him - when he found himself out of favour after a change of manager - Hitzlsperger is raring to go and prove just why he has won 51 full caps for Germany. Only just 28, he has his best years ahead of him.
"The manager who signed me at Lazio got sacked after a week and the new manager didn't fancy me. They were in a relegation battle and he felt he needed players with experience of the league who spoke the language. I tried my best and worked very hard in training but he didn't pick me. That happens sometimes. It was frustrating but you just have to get on with it.
"I want to establish myself very quickly. I am raring to go with the experience I have had in Italy. I want to prove myself and play week in and week out, but I know I have to show what I can do. We have perfect conditions for a good season and I am really looking forward. The fans are looking forward, they are optimistic and we have to give them reasons to be excited. We will see where that takes us.
"After the experience in Italy, my contract came to an end and I wanted to move on. I have always wanted to come back to the Premier League. I had a really good time when I was in England and I knew this is where I wanted to be."
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Hitzlsperger needed little persuading to head to east London when the opportunity arose - flying to London to get the deal done at the end of last week.
"My agent spoke to the club and there was good interest. The manager was really keen, the chairman was very positive and it felt right. There were plenty of other clubs but it was West Ham that showed the most interest and wanted me.
"I don't think there will be any shocks for me and I know the league well. I know a few things about the club and I am sure I will learn more when I am there. I will try to integrate into it as quickly as I can. There is no language barrier so it is just about getting there, meeting all my team-mates and working hard. I am looking forward to it."