Hitzlsperger moves to West Ham

Thomas Hitzlsperger is returning to the English Premier League, moving to West Ham from Italy's Lazio.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who has been left out of Germany's World Cup squad, spent four seasons with Aston Villa until he left for Stuttgart in 2005.

West Ham said Saturday that the left-footed player, who has a powerful shot, signed a 3-year contract from July 1.