Former Aston Villa footballer, Thomas Hitzlsperger, reveals he is gay

31year former Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham & German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has come out as gay. But he waited to retire from football before revealing his sexual preference.

Hitzlsperger, who retired in September 2013 due to a knee injury yesterday told a German newspaper

"I'm coming out about my homosexuality because I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sports people forwards. In England, Italy & Germany being a homosexual is no big thing, at least not in the dressing room"

"The awareness of being gay was a long and difficult process. Only in recent years has it dawned on me that I would prefer to live with another man. I've never been ashamed of my sexuality"